RECORD 


OF     THK 


5   KEGIMENT, 

X.    Y.    S.    V. 
WHERE  IT  WENT,  WHAT  IT  fcAW,  AW)  WHAT  IT  DID. 


"They  invited  me; 

Still  question'd  me  the  story  of  my  life, 
From  year  to  year;  the  battles,  sieges,  fortunes, 
That  I  have  passed.    *   *   *    |  did  consent." 

OTHELLO. 


BY 

DB.  HAEKIS  H.  BEECHEK, 

LATE  ASSISTANT-SURGEON. 


NORWICH,    N.  Y.: 
PUBLISHED  BY  J.  F.  HUBBARD,  JR. 

1866 


. 


iai-cowiitif  t(>AQt:of;Co]%r^g.  in  tke  year  1866, 
BY  HARRIS  H.*f>EECHEB, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States  for  the  Northern 
District  of  New  York. 


TO   THE 

MEMORY  OP  OUR  LAMENTED  COLONEL, 


THE  PATRIOT  SOLDIER,  THE  TRUE  MAN,  THE  GENIAL  COMPANION, 

THE  GENEROUS  FRIEND; 

AND  OF 

ALJL    OUR    FALLEN    COMRADES, 

WHO  HEROICALLY  SACRIFICED  THEIR  LIVES  IN  DEFENSE  OK 

THEIR  COUNTRY'S  FLAG, 

THIS  VOLUME 

IS    AFFECTIONATELY    INSCRIBED. 


PREFACE. 


To  perpetuate  the  services  of  the  gallant  men  serving  in  the  late 
war  of  the  Rebellion,  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment 
New  York  State  Volunteers,  and  to  bring  to  view  some  phases  of 
army  life  not  hitherto  considered,  this  volume  is  offered  to  the  public. 

In  presenting  it,  the  author,  while  he  feels  conscious  of  having 
used  every  exertion  in  his  power  to  make  the  work  accurate  and 
interesting,  does  not  claim  exemption  from  those  imperfections  which 
are  necessarily  ever  attendant  upon  works  of  this  kind.  When 
it  is  considered  that  this  book  will  come  before  many  who  upon  some 
portions  of  the  record  herein  contained  have  better  means  of  infor 
mation  than  the  writer  himself,  it  is  not  strange  that  a  degree  of 
embarrassment  should  be  experienced.  And  then,  the  same  events, 
it  must  be  recollected,  witnessed  by  many  persons,  are  remembered 
differently,  and  leave  unlike  impressions  on  the  mind. 

In  addition  to  extensive  journals  and  memoranda  kept  by  the 
author  throughout  his  service,  he  has  been  kindly  furnished  with  the 
journals  and  memoranda  of  others,  which  in  the  main  have  been  cor 
roborative  of  each  other,  or  at  least  have  enabled  him  to  arrive  at 
more  correct  results.  Large  portions  of  the  manuscript  have  likewise 
been  submitted  to  those  most  capable  of  judging  of  its  correctness, 
that  no  errors  might  creep  into  the  work  which  it  were  possible  by 
any  means  to  avoid. 


II  PREFACE. 

In  the  preparation  of  the  Register,  which  appears  in  the  form  of 
an  Appendix,  and  which  will  be  found  to  be  a  valuable  part  of  the 
Record,  especial  pains  have  been  taken  to  secure  its  fidelity.  Yet, 
to  assert  that  there  are  no  errors  of  omission  or  commission,  of  name 
or  data,  when  we  remember  the  imperfections  of  all  things  human, 
would  be  an  unwarrantable  assumption. 

To  enumerate  the  names  of  all  who  have  given  us  verbal  and  written 
statements  and  interesting  incidents  tending  to  enhance  the  value  and 
truthfulness  of  our  labors,  would  be  impossible.  We  are,  however, 
none  the  less  thankful  for  their  many  favors  and  expressions  of 
encouragement. 

To  Lieutenant  Robert  N.  Eddy,  a  gentleman  of  the  strictest  integ 
rity,  and  of  conceded  ability,  we  are  especially  indebted  for  the  val 
uable  aid  he  has  rendered  iis  in  the  preparation  of  this  work. 

We  tender  our  grateful  acknowledgements  to  the  editors  and  pub 
lishers  of  Newspapers  throughout  the  District,  for  their  notices  of 
our  efforts,  and  also  to  those  who  have  kindly  given  us  free  access  to 
their  files. 

When  the  reminiscences  of  the  war  through  which  we  have  passed 
shall  become  as  old  as  the  legends  of  the  Revolution,  then  it  is  that 
the  labors  of  the  true  historian  will  be  read  and  appreciated ;  and  the 
children's  children  of  those  who  have  been  participants  in  the  scenes 
of  this  wonderful  drama  will  rise  up  and  call  him  blessed. 

With  these  remarks,  trusting  that  the  perusal  of  this  volume  will 
be  as  pleasant  and  profitable  as  has  been  the  writing,  the  author  sub 
mits  the  result  of  his  labors  to  his  friends  and  a  generous  public. 

NORWICH,  N.  Y.,  Jan.,  1866. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER     I. 
Introductory  Remarks Page  U- 

CHAPTER     11. 

The  President'*  Call— The  114th  raised  iu  the  23d  Senatorial  District— The  Organ 
ization  of  a  Company,  and  of  a  Regiment— Meeting  of  the  Citizen's  Commit- 
tee— Appointment  of  General  Bruce— He  Declines— Colonel  Smith  Appointed 
—He  Accepts— Complimentary  Notices  of  Colonel  Smith— Appointment  of 
other  Officers— Rendezvous  Established  at  Norwich— Recruiting 1  r> 

C II  APT  E  R    1 1  1 . 

Raising  of  the  Different  Companies— Co.  A  from  Oxford— A  Reception,  anil 
Speech  by  Colonel  Smith— Co.  B  from  Norwich— The  First  Man  who  Enlisted- 
Co.  D  from  Eaton  and  Lebanon— Flag  Presentation— Co.  E  from  Greene- 
Presentation  of  "Soldier's  Kits"— Co.  H1  from  Sherburue  and  New  Berlin- 
Captain  Cohvell  and  Lieutenant  Foote  Unite  their  Labors — Co.  G  from  Hamil 
ton  and  Brookfield— Speech  in  Leonardsville  by  the  Hon.  W.  H.  Brand— Co. 
H  from  Five  Counties  and  Fifteen  Townships— Co.  I  from  Otselic— Silver  Dol 
lars  from  Mr.  Parce — Co.  K  from  Cazenovia — Parting  Scenes 2i! 

CHAPTER     IV. 

Camp  Doty— Accomodations  for  the  Soldiers— Bill  of  Fare— The  Original  Roster 
—Presents  to  Companies  B  and  C— Bounty  Paid— Allotment  Commissioners — 
Attending  Divine  Service — Muster-in— Furlough — Costly  Presents  to  Colonel 
Smith  and  Per  Lee — Presentation  Speech — Reply  of  Colonel  Smith— Farewell 
Address  by  the  Rev  Mr.  Searls 42 

CHAPTER    V. 

Final  Leave-taking — A  Ride  on  the  Canal— Arrival  at  Oxford  and  Greene — A  Great 
Reception  in  Binghamton — On  the  Railroad — Change  Cars  at  Palmira — Scenes 
by  the  Wayside— At  Baltimore— A  March  through  the  City— A  Night's  Rest  in 
the  Ruins  of  a  Depot  54 


TV  OONTKNTS. 


C  H  A  P  T  E  11    V  1. 

Another  March  through  the  City— Camp  Belger— Description  of  the  Camp— Get 
ting  Settled— The  New  Guns— Daily  Camp  Duties— A  Detail  at  West  Ware  House 
Hospital — Another  Detail  at  the  Medical  Purveyors — Co.  I  at  Camden  Street 
Hospital— Co.  Fat  Stewart's  Mansion  Hospital— Co.  Eat  Camdeu  Station— Co. 
H  at  Upper  Marlborough — Co.  K  at  McKim's  Mansion  Hospital — Grand  Rounds 
—The  Regiment  Brigaded— Orders  to  be  Ready  for  Distant  Service (51 

CHAPTER    V  T  1. 

Breaking  Camp — Marching  to  the  Docks — Embarking  on  the  Atlantic,  the  Arago 
and  the  Thames— Amusing  Scenes— Stuck  on  a  Sand  Bar— Under  Headway— 
A  Sail  down  the  Chesapeake— Fortress  Monroe— Historic  Scenery— Drilling  on 
the  Beach— Newport  News— Living  in  Log  Barracks— Visit  to  Norfolk— The 
Village  of  Hampton — An  Ancient  Church — Unhealthy  Regiment 74 

CHAPTER    VIM. 

Banks'  Expedition  Sails  to  Sea— Nautical  Sights— A  Heavy  Sea— The  Engine  of 
the  Thames  Breaks  Down— Signal  of  Distress— The  Storm  Increases — The 
Ericsson  Comes  to  the  Rescue— Unavailing  Efforts  to  get  Communication  be 
tween  the  Vessels — Dangerous  Experiment — Imminent  Danger — All  is  Safe — 
A  Hawser  is  Secured— The  Gale  Becomes  more  Furious— A  Terrible  Night  of 
Fear  and  Anxiety— Morning  Breaks— The  Storm  Continues— The  Hawser  Parts 
—Another  Perilous  Moment— The  Gale  Abates—"  Land  Ho  !"— Port  Royal  Har 
bor — The  Thanie-x  Condemned 84 

C II A  P  T  E  R    IX. 

Going  Ashore— The  Village  of  Hilton  Head— Transferred  to  the  Barque  Voltigeur 
—Out  of  Sight  of  Laud— The  Bahama  Banks  and  the  Island  of  Cuba— A  Sorry 
Christmas  Day  on  the  Water— Ship  Island— Under  Way  Again— A  Burial  at  Sea 
—South- West  Pass— Up  the  Mississippi— Tropical  Scenery— New  Orleans— Dis 
embarking  at  Carrollton— Tents  Pitched  at  Camp  Mansfield 03 

CHAPTER    X. 

The  Voyages  of  the  Atlantic  and  the  Arago— They  Safely  Rode  the  Gale— A  Thrill 
ing  Spectacle — Living  in  the  Sand  on  Ship  Island — A  Dull  Life  in  Quarantine — 
Interesting  Episode — The  Old  Battle  Ground — "  Colored  "  Account,  of  the  Cap 
ture  of  New  Orleans — Doing  Duty  on  the  Mississippi  River 101 

CHAPTER    XL 

The  Village  of  Carroliton— The  Creole  Inhabitants— Breaking  up  Camp  Mansfield 
—Queer  Vessel— Arrival  at  Algiers— The  Opelousas  Railroad— Ride  on  the  Cars 
—Co.  F  at  Jefferson— Co.  K  at  St.  Charles— Co.  E  at  Boutte— Co.  H  at  Bayou 
des  Allemands — Co.  I  at  Raceland — Co.  C  at  La  Fourche— Co.  D  at  Terrebonne 
—Co.  G  at  Tigerville— Co.  B  at  Bayou  Boeuf— Co.  A  at  Bayou  Ramos—Pleas 
ant  Reminiscences— Insight  of  Southern  Life—Organization  of  the  19th  Corps 
—The  Reserve  Brigade— Regiment  Re-united  at  Brashear  City 10e 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTE  R    XII. 


V 


The  Two  "  Cities"  on  Berwick's  Bay— Topography  and  Hydrography  of  Louisiana 
— Bayoux  and  Swamps — Accident  to  Co.  B — Death  of  Lieutenant  Gilbert—  -An 
noyances  of  the  Climate— Particulars  of  Life  in  Camp  Reno— Spicy  Correspon 
dence  between  Colonel  Smith  and  Rebel  Citizens— General  Weitzel  Drills  the 
Regiment— Nightly  Alarms US 

CHAPTER    XIII. 

''A  Big  Skedaddle"— Retreat  to  Bayou  Boeuf— Graphic  Description  of  the  Mud — 
Visit  of  General  Banks — Droves  of  Contrabands — Accumulation  of  an  Immense 
Army—4'  April  Fool"— March  to  Brashear  City— Preparations  for  a  Campaign — 
Crossing  Berwick's  Bay— Signal  Flags— The  First  Bivouac— Geography  of  the 
Country,  and  the  Plan  of  the  Campaign 12& 

CHAPTER    XIV. 

The  Opening  of  the  Teche  Campaign — G rover's  Division  Sails — March  Along  the 
Atchafalaya — Few  Rebels  in  Sight — Bivouac  at  Pattersonville — Some  Offensive 
Rations  of  Meat — The  March  Resumed— Fatiguing  Labors  in  the  Cane  Fields — 
Sudden  Attack— The  Battle  of  Bislaud— Terrific  Firing— Quiet  Night— An  En 
tire  Day  of  Fighting— The  Rebels  have  Fled— The  Men  Triumphantly  Enter  th& 
Works — List  of  Casualties — Complimentary  Note 1 3t 

CHAPTER    XV. 

The  Fertility  of  the  Country— The  Propensities  of  the  Soldiers— Ludicrous  Sights-. 
— The  Demonstrations  of  the  Slaves — "  Rally  on  the  Preserves  " — A  Skirmish — 
Franklin  Occupied — The  Gunboat  Diana  Blown  Up — Great  Strategy  by  General 
Grover — The  Army  Riding — Laughable  Scenes — New  Iberia — The  Attakapas 
Region — Marching  on  the  Prairie — Violent  Thunder  Storm — The  114th  Ordered 
to  Return— Glowing  Order  from  General  Banks 148. 

C  II A  P  T  E  R    X  V  I. 

Driving  Cattle— Wild  Herd— The  Regiment  Mounted— Camp  at  St.  Martinsville— 
Living  on  the  Country— Co.  B  goes  Ahead— "Hurra  for  Hard-tack'-— The  Ruing 
of  a  Splendid  Mansion— Berwick  Bay  is  Crossed— In  Camp  Again— Ride  on  the 
Empire  Parish— Transferred  to  the  Quinnebaiig— Hot  Weather 161 

CHAPTER     XVII. 

Long  March  in  Prospect— The  Rebel  Camp  Pratt— The  Village  of  Vermilion — A 
Magnificent  Residence— Unwelcome  Reception  by  the  Ladies  of  Opeloosas— 
An  Uninviting  Town — How  the  Bridge  Destroyers  were  Conquered — "Bonnie 
Blue  Flag,"  with  Variations— The  "Safe  Joke  "—Singular  Stream^-An  Unculti 
vated  Country— A  Village  with  One  Inhabitant— Useless  Expenditure  of- Am 
munition— Inappropriate  Places  to  Lodge— Discouraging  Orders ...  168 


VI  CONTENTS.  0 

CHAPTER    XT  ill. 

"Countermarching— A  Halt  for  One  Day— New  Muster  Rolls  are  Written— Strange 
Fondness  for  Door- Yards— Camp  at  Pratt's  Plantation— Situation  Growing 
Critical— A  Jesuit  Settlement— Junction  Formed  with  Colonel  Checkering— 
Great  Excitement  among  the  Blacks— Negro  Property  Found  in  Attics— Won 
derful  Procession  of  Contrabands— Rebels  Attack  the  Rear—Panic—The  Regi 
ment  Moves  Forward  to  the  1-  ight— An  Order  to  Retreat— Painful  Marching— 
The  Good  Old  Camp— Handsome  Compliment ITS 

CHAPTER    XIX. 

-Other  Orders  to  Move— Ride  on  the  Cars— On  the  Cahawba— Sailing  up  the  Mis 
sissippi— Beautiful  Scenery— Baton  Ronge— Springfield  Landing— News  from 
the  Army— The  Sight  of  Wounded  Men— Arrival  at  Port  Hudson— Uncalled-for 
Cheers— Shells  and  Bullets— In  the  Trenches— Ingenious  Breastworks— Descrip 
tion  of  the  Defences  of  Port  Hudson — Monotonous  Siege  Duties — Recconnois- 
*ance — Indications  of  an  Assault 191 

C  II A  P  T  E  II    X  X. 

Arrival  of  Colonel  Smith— Companies  B,  D,  E,  F  and  G  March  to  the  Assault- 
Unfortunate  Delay— Plan  of  Attack— The  Charge— Terrible  Carnage— Colonel 
Smith  Falls  Mortally  Wounded— Captain  Tucker  Killed— Gallant  Struggle- 
Horrible  Butchery— Repulse— Revolting  Sights — The  Day  Closes  in  Defeat- 
Sorrow  of  the  Regiment— Tribute  to  the  Dead— Criticism 202 

CHAPTER    XX'l. 

'Continuation  of  the  Siege— Spading  and  Picking— Call  for  a  Volunteer  Storming 
.Party— Inhumanity  of  the  General— Death  of  Colonel  Smith— Guerrillas  in  the 
Rear— March  to  Jackson— Retnrn— Gloomy  Period— Capture  of  Brashear  City- 
Disease  Decimating  the  Army — Speech  from  General  Banks 212 

CHAPTER     XX1J. 

-Light  Dawns— News  of  the  Fall  of  Vicksburg— Flag  of  Truce— Port  Hudson  Sur 
renders — Formal  Ceremony  of  Occupation— Inspiring  Spectacle — Six  Thousand 
Prisoners — The  Flag  Floats  Triumphant— Summing  Up  of  the  Siege — Descrip 
tion  of  the  Interior  of  the  Fort— Village  of  Port  Hudson— Rebs  and  Yanks  on 
Friendly  Terms— Dispatch  from  the  Gem-ral-in-Chief 222 

CHAPTER    XX  I  11. 

Embarking  on  the  St.  J/cmrice— Donaklsonville— Gallant  Defense  of  Foil  Butler 
—Battle  of  Cox  Plantation — Confiscating  Forage — Marching  Again — Beauties 
of  the  La  Fourche  Country— Summer  Quarters— Camp  Hubbard— Pleasant 
Times— Breaking  Camp— A  Midnight  March— Comica  1  Mishaps— On  the  Cars— 
-  Brashear  City  Again— Sad  Reflections— Orders  to  Move. . .  . .  -.30 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

A  Night  on  the  Railroad— Algiers— Once  More  on  the  Cahaicba— Hasty  Prepara 
tions—Out  at  Sea— The  Texas  Coast— Sabine  Pass— The  Navy  Engaged— Distant 
View  of  the  Fight— A  Great  Disaster— Failure  of  the  Expedition— Return  to 
Algiers— An  Exciting  Race— End  of  the  "Grand  Fizzle" 244 

CHAPTER    XX  A'. 

Description  of  Algiers — Brashear  City  Forever— Western  Soldiers— An  Unpopular 
General— Muddy  Camps— On  the  March— Prospect  of  a  Battle— The  Rebels  Flee 
—The  Classic  Bayou— Slow  Movements— A  Wonderful  Train— Humorous  Bad 
inage — An  Unnamelce?  Bayou — No  Gentle  Spiriting— Lame  Campaign 253 

CHAPTER    XXVI. 

Falling  Back— Uncertainty  ofcMilitary  Life— Hasty  Advance— Sad  Calamity— Re 
treat — Horse  Racing — An  Unfortunate  Govemor — Just  Retribution — Interesting 
Incident — New  Iberia— Winter  Quarters — Unique  Order— Sorrowful  Farewell — 
Change  of  Camp  -Recruiting  Squad — Court  Martial— An  Execution — Unhappy 
New  Year — General  Orders  No.  1 2(J7 

CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Cold  Weather— A  Terrible  March— Franklin— Building  Huts— Soldiers'  Theatre 
— Romantic  Camp — Grand  Review — Raising  a  Flag— Foraging — Narrow  Escape 
— Change  of  Organizations— Weary  of  Fancy  Soldiering— Preparations  for  a 
Grand  Campaign— Speculations— The  Famous  Red  River  Campaign 28); 

CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

The  Road  Traversed  Six  Times  -New  Iberia— Ruins  of  the  Old  Camp— Vermiliou- 
ville— No  Sympathy  for  Recruits— New  Knapsacks— Loyal  Lady— A  Day's  Rest 
—Sudden  Disappearance  of  Fences— What  a  Railroad  '.—The  Union  Governor- 
Wealthy  Region— Alexandria— Red  River— A  Rest— The  Colonel  Compliment* 
the  Regiment— General  Smith's  Army— Capture  of  Fort  DeRussey 292 

CHAPTER    XXIX. 

Cotton  Region— A  Well  Defined  Hill— Piney  Woods— A  Geological  Theory- 
Cane  River— Cotton  Beds— Natchitoches— Beautiful  Village— Rough  Section- 
Pleasant  Hill— Cavalry  Fight— Bayou  St.  Patries BOf 

CHAPTER    XXX. 

Sudden  Start— Rapid  Marching— Panic-Stiicken  Mob— Line  of  Battle— Exc/ting 
Moments— The  Enemy  Appears — A  Minute  of  Suspense  -  Crash  of  Musketry — 
The  Rebels  Stagger— They  Charge  Again  and  Again— They  Flank  the  Position 
—They  are  Repulsed— The  Battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads  is  Ended— Piteous 
Wail  ings— Death  of  General  Mouton— Digression— Statements  of  General* 
Banks  and  Franklin— Casua  ties...  :.  31ft 


VIII  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER    XXXI. 

A  Retreat  by  Midnight— The  Enemy  Deceived-Pleasant  Hill-Preparing  for  a 
Battle— Intense  Activity— Formation  of  the  Army— The  Fight  Opened— Con 
cealed  in  the  Bushes-The  Log  Defences-Exciting  Sounds— A  Regiment  Rallied 
—A  Grand  Charge— Yankee  Cheers  of  Victory— Nightfall— The  Horrors  of  War 
—Character  of  the  Battle— List  of  Casualties— A  Glorious  Victory— Retreating 
—Guarding  Prisoners— Excessive  Labors— Grand  Ecore 319 

CHAPTER    XXXII. 

Strong  Defences— Safety  of  the  Fleet— Speech  from  General  Dwight— Compli 
mentary  Order  from  General  Emory— Paper  Collars  Unfit  for  Food— The  River 
Falling— Orders  to  Retreat— A  Long  Delay— Assisting  Mules— A  Long  March— 
Cloutierville— A  Little  Slumber— The  Enemy  Found  at  Monet's  Bluff— The 
Battle  of  Cane  River— Lying  in  the  Woods— A  Charge— The  Rebels  have  Fled— 
—Smith's  Victory— Joyous  Cheers— The  Labors  of  ftie  Surgeon 327 

CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

.A  Lost  Aimy— " The  Babes  in  the  Woods"—"  Getting  out  of  the  Wilderness  "— 
Cotile— Burning  Buildings— Alexandria— Return  of  Officers— Fear  of  an  Attack 
—Sugar  and  Bacon— The  River  Sealed— Loss  of  Muster-Rolls— A  Plan  to  Save 
the  Gunboats— General  Emory's  Testimony— He  says  the  Plan  Originated  in 
the  114th— Building  of  the  Dam— Graphic  Account  by  Admiral  Porter— The 
Fleet  is  Saved— Orders  to  Move 336 

CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

The  Dam  Blown  Up— Destruction  of  Alexandria— Rifled  Mail  Bags— A  Swampy 
Country — The  Plains  of  Mansnra — A  Battle  Imminent — Marksville — Quaint 
Spanish  Town — Line  of  Battle — An  Imposing  Spectacle — An  Artillery  Fight — 
The  Rebels  Falling  Back— The  Pranks  of  a  Cannon  Ball 346 

CHAPTER    XXXV. 

M ore  auvilte— Bayou  De  Glaise— Extensive  Rebel  Works— A  Name  without  a  Place 
— Living  Models — General  Canby  Assumes  Command — The  Battle  of  Yellow 
Bayou — Complimentary  Order  from  General  Emory — A  Novel  Bridge— A  De 
serted  Channel— Arrival  at  Morganza— Permanent  Camp— Opinions  Concerning 
the  C  ampaign— Summing  Up— The  Soldiers  were  Victorious 353 

CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

The  Regiment  Embowered— Torrid  Weather— Alarming  Mortality— River  Guard 
—Evening  Sports— Reviews  are  the  Rage— Sudden  Movement— What  Causes  the 
Stampede— Sailing  down  the  River— A  Hot  Day  on  the  Vessel— A  March  through 
the  Streets  of  New  Orleans— In  a  Cotton  Press— A  Peculiar  City— The  French 
Market-Canal  Street— Companies  B,  G,  K,  and  E,  Sail  on  the  Crescent— 
The  Balance  of  the  Regiment  Sails  on  the  Corinthian 361 


CONTENTS.  IX 

CHAPTER    XXXVI  I  . 

The  Voyage  of  the  Crescent— Orders  to  Proceed  to  Fortress  Monroe— Unexpected 
Turn  to  Events — A  Rapid  and  Pleasant  Voyage — Cast  Anchor  at  Hampton 
Roads— Orders  to  go  to  Washington— Delightful  Scenery  on  the  Potomac- 
Mount  Vernon — Washington— Exciting  News — The  Enemy  Beseiging  the  Capi 
tal—Sights  in  the  City— A  Joyful  Welcome— Fort  Saratoga— On  Picket— Pleas 
ant  Trip  on  the  Corinthian — Boarding  a  Barque — The  Regiment  United. . .  369 

CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

The  Snicker's  Gap  Expedition— Tenallytown— Hills,  Springs  and  Rocks— Strag 
gling — Hunger — Fording  the  Potomac — Ludicrous  Sight — Leesburg — Snicker's 
Gap— Wild  Mountain  Scenery— A  Fight— Fording  the  Shenandoah— Returning 
to  Washington— Chain  Bridge— Camp  at  Battery  Vermont 3f9 

.CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

The  Enemy  in  Maryland — Night  March — Rockville — Monocacy  Junction — Battle 
Ground — Valuable  Bridge — Loyal  City  of  Frederick — Generous  Treatment — Har 
per's  Ferry— Magnificent  Mountains— Bolivar  Heights— Return  to  Frederick— 
"  Old  Brick  Top  "—On  the  Railroad  to  Harper's  Ferry— Among  the  Clouds- 
Enchanting  Landscape— "Little  Phil "  Takes  Command 388 

CHAPTER    XL. 

Soenandoah  Valley— Fertile  Country— Where  John  Brown  Died— "Poor  White 
Trash  "— Berry ville— Moving  by  a  Compass— The  Valley  Pike— Middletown— 
Mosby's  Guerrillas— Retreat— Winchester— Camp  on  a  Lawn— Crossing .  the 
Opequan— Threatened  Battle— "  Harper's  Weekly  "—Sheridan's  Tactics— The 
Army  of  the  Shenandoah 399 

CHAPTER    XL1. 

Building  Breastworks— The  Enemy  Retires— The  Army  Advances— Method  of 
Marching— An  Army  Viewed  as  an  Unit— The  John  Brown  Song— Camp  at 
Charleslown— Another  Move— Berryville— Sudden  Attack— Rainy  Night— Ex 
tensive  Earthworks— General  Grant  on  the  Ground— Laconic  Order 408 

CHAPTER    XLII. 

Trudging  Along  the  Road— Indications  of  a  Fight — Conversing  with  Cavalrymen 
—Formation  of  Battle— A  Long  Suspense— The  Bugle  Sounds— The  Army  Moves 
—The  Onset— Heart-Rending  Sights— Delirious  Excitement— The  Colonel  is 
Wounded — The  Doomed  Regiment — Struggling  and  Bleeding — Au  Hour  of  Cas 
ualties— Falling  Back— Charging— Lieutenant  Breed  Falls— Fighting  in  the 
Woods— Reinforcement  Arrives— They  Beat  Back  the  Enemy— Glorious  Sight 
The  Rebels  Scatter— The  Cavalry  Charge— Close  of  the  Battle  of  Opequan— The 
Great  Results— Eulogy  upon  the  Fallen  Dead— Congratulatory  Orders 41T 


X  CONTENTS. 

( '  II  A  P  T  E  11    X  L  I  1 1 . 

The  Pursuit— The  Enemy  Wakes  a  Stand— A  View  of  the  Surrounding  Country- 
Fisher's  Hill— On  Picket— The  Vineyard— Another  Victory— Marching  All  Night 
—Woodstock— Edinburg— Store  Houses  in  Flames— An  Afternoon's  Chase- 
Hot  Work— Harrisonburg— Guarding  a  Wagon  Train— Riding  Down  the  Valley 
— Visiting  Wounded  Comrades — Martinsburg — Loading  Up — The  Return — 
Meeting  the  Army— At  Cedar  Creek— All  Quiet  in  Camp 431 

(,'  H  A  P  T  E  11    X  L  I  V . 

Awoke  by  the  Sounds  of  Battle— Foggy  Morning— Discouraging  Situation— The 
Eighth  Corps  Broken— Hill  of  Slaughter— Captain  Knowlton  Instantly  Killed— 
Forced  to  Retreat — Another  Stand— Useless  Resistance— A  Momentary  Check — 
Inglorious  Retreat— General  Sheridan  Arrives -Face  About— Building  Breast 
works—The  General  Inspires  the  Men— Short  Speecbes— The  Enemy  Repulsed 
—Advancing— Horrid  Sights— A  Brilliant  Charge— Burch  and  Lewis  Fall— 
An  Exciting  Chase — At  the  Old  Camps — Custer's  Charge— Lieutenant  Thurber 
Wounded Great  Captures— Losses— President's  Dispatch 444 

CHAPTER    XLY. 

Camp  at  Cedar  Creek— Promotions  lor  Gallantry — Brigade  Commanders — Camp 
Russell— The  Regiment  Housed— Reconnoitering— Turkey  Dinner— A  Raid— 
Crinoline  Strategy — New  Year's — A  Cold  March — Stevenson's  Depot— Camp 
Sheridan— Quaker  Church— Sumptuous  Repast — Jolly  Evening — Log  ''She 
bangs  "—Departure  of  Sheridan— Attractive  "Corral"— The  19th  Corps  Dis 
band  ed— Fall  of  Richmond— Following  Bouibon— Orders  to  Move 450 

CHAPTER    XL VI. 

General  Hancock — Shoes  versus  Boots — Mill  town — Lee's  Surrender — Summit 
Point— A  Memorable  Day— The  Flag  on  Sumter— The  Assassination— On  the 
Cars— A  Weary  Ride— The  Funeral  Train— Washington— Review  by  Phil.  Sheri 
dan—Preparing  for  tlie  Grand  Review— On  the  Avenue— A  Great  Ovation- 
Sherman's  Army— Bladensburg— An  Order  to  Muster-out 473 

CHAPTER    XL  VI  I. 

Departure  of  the  Division— Muster-out— Joy  of  the  Men— March  to  the  Depot —On 
the  Cars— Baltimore-  Greetings  by  the  Ways'de— Village  of  Young  Ladies— 
Elmira— Cool  Treatment— A  Second  Andersonville— Imprisoned— Tardy  Offi 
cials—Deprived  of  Guns  and  Equipments-Paid  and  Discharged— Erie  Railroad- 
Binghamton— Cordial  Reception— Chenango  Forks— Riding  in  Wagons— Wel 
come  by  the  People  of  Greene-  The  Raging  Canal— Oxford— The  Men  Surfeited 
-  -Unbounded  Hospitality— Norwich— Generous  Reception  —Finale 480 

APPENDIX. 

I.    Memorial  Sketches 507 

II.    Register _  534 


RECORD  OF  THE  114m  REGIMENT. 


CHAPTER    I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

"O  pity,  God,  this  miserable  age  !— 
What  stratagems,  how  fell,  how  bufeherly, 
Erroneous,  mutinous,  and  unnatural. 
This  deadly  quarrel  daily  doth  beget." 

KING  HENEY  VI. 

On  the  12th  clay  of  April,  1861,  at  half-past  four  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  the  greaf American  Rebellion  was  formal 
ly  inaugurated. 

On  the  15th  of  the  month,  and  three  days  after  the 
bombardment  of  Fort  Sumter,  the  President  of  the 
United  States  issued  a  Proclamation  calling  into  the 
federal  service  Seventy-Five  Thousand  men,  to  suppress 
combinations  against  the  General  Government,  and 
re-possess  the  forts  and  property  of  the  Union. 

The  national  Capital,  founded  by  "  The  Father  of  his 
Country,"  and  his  compatriots,  and  bearing  the  name  of 
the  immortal  Washington,  was  in  danger.  Volunteers, 
hastening  to  its  defense,  were  shot  and  stoned  by  mobs  in 
the  streets  of  Baltimore,  and  insult  added  to  injury  by 
her  disloyal  citizens. 

The  flag  of  our  fathers,  which,  for  eighty-five  years, 
had  honored  and  protected  a  Continent,  had  been  pulled 
down  and  trailed  in  the  dust. 


OF  THE  ONE  Hl'XDREH 

Is  it  strange,  under  these  circumstances,  that  the 
patriotism -of  our  loyal  people  should  have  been  aroused, 
and  our  nationality  vindicated?  Had  it  been  otherwise, 
it  would  have  been  a  virtual  declaration  to  the  Avorld, 
that  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  had  been  uselessly  shed, 
and  that  the  War  of  Independence  had  been  in  vain. 

Twelve  months,  and  upwards,  during  which  time  over 
six  hundred  thousand  additional  troops  had  been  brought 
into  the  field,  and  the  war  of  the  Rebellion — conceived  in 
the  hearts  of  wicked  men,  and  hatched  in  the  nest  of 
treason — was  not  ended.  Many  even  began  to  believe 
that  the  rebellious  States  could  not  be  subdued  and 
brought  back  to  the  Union.  They  were  astonished  that 
rebels  shoulct  hold  out  so  long,  and  fight  so  desperately, 
and  began  to  despair  of  ultimate  success.  Led  by  brave 
and  experienced,  though  misguided  military  captains, 
and  fighting  under  the  impuls^of  desperation,  it  would 
have  been  strange,  indeed,  if  soldiers  of  the  Southern 
States,  sharing  the  former  pride  and  haughtiness  of  our 
nationality,  had  not  been  able  to  cope  with  an  equal 
number  from  the  North,  the  East,  or  the  West :  defending 
their  own  soil,  it  should  have  been  expected  that  they 
would  be  able  to  do  more. 

But  history  no  where  tells  us  that  aristocracy  is  the 
parent  of  successful  revolution.  It  is  only  when  the  heart 
of  Labor  has  begun  to  throb  under  unendurable  oppres 
sion,  that  thrones  are  overturned  and  ministers  beheaded. 

The  great  English  rebellion  was  an  outbreak  of  the 
democratic  spirit,  and  was  headed,  not  by  dukes  and 
marquises,  but  by  brewers,  coopers,  haberdashers — 
leaders  with  whom  the  middle  andjlower  classes  were  in 
sympathy.  It  was  a  war  of  classes,  and  was  successful. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  IS 

In  France,  contemporaneous  with  the  English  rebellion, 
the  leaders  of  the  Fronde  were  of  the  nobility,  and  the 
insurrection  was  followed  by  none  of  the  splendid  results 
ensuing  the  war  of  the  Ronndheads  and  Cavaliers. 
There  could  be  but  little  common  interest  between  the 
peasant  and  mechanic  in  the  ranks,  and  the  rich  and 
dissolute  noble  leader,  who,  instead  of  contending  fpr  the 
civil  liberties  sought  by  Cromwell  and  his  army  of  work 
men,  aimed  at  privileges  no  more  exalted  than  that  his 
wife  should  sit  in  the  presence  of  the  Queen. 

If  we  examine  the  history  of  the  religious  revolution, 
known  as  the.  Reformation,  it  will  be  found  that  the  great 
uprising  was  instigated  and  carried  on,  not  by  cardinals 
and  bishops,  but  by  men  from  the  middle  and  lower 
ranks.  That,  also,  wras  a  democratic  rebellion,  in  which 
the  heart  of  Labor  beat  in  unity,  and  it  was  successful. 

The  American  rebellion  was  essentially  a  revolt  of  the 
aristocracy.  It  was  precipitated  by  no  oppression  of 
what  is  properly  termed  the  people.  Its  aim  was  not  • 
popular  Liberty,  but  Empire,  in  which  labor  was  to  be 
the  undivided  heritage  of  the  slave.  It  was  to  be  a 
great  Cotton  Empire  of  minor  baronies  and  patriarchal 
estates,  and  each  community  of  white  working  men  was 
to  be  governed  by  a  political  independent  chief,  who 
would  supply  the  place  of  school-master  and  press.  In 
the  establishment  of  such  a  system,  labor  can  have  no 
concern.  It  may  be  momentarily  controlled,  and  under 
the  direct  stimulus  of  sectional  pride,  may  be  driven  out 
to  be  slaughtered  in  hecatombs,  but,  if  there  be  no  endur 
ing  bonds  of  sympathy  with  the  leaders,  no  lasting 
magnetism  in  the  hearts  of  the  people,  when  the  fires  of 
war  blaze  with  intense  heat  and  fearful  consumption,  the 
ropes  of  straw  will  untwist  and  turn  to  ashes. 


14  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Had  the  southern  people  been  fighting  for  the  elective 
franchise,  or  for  religious  freedom,  or  for  emancipation 
from  Ihe  serfdom  in  which  labor  was  there  held,  we 
believe  that  seven  millions  of  determined  and  united 
people  could  never  have  been  conquered,  and  Liberty 
everywhere  would  have  prayed  to  God,  that  each  insur 
gent  might  be  strong  enough  to  grasp  an  Ithuriel  spear, 
and  wield  a  sword  gleaming  and  terrible  as  the  wrath  of 
the  clouds.  But  in  this  struggle  they  had  no  sympathy 
but  that  of  monarchists,  no  allies  but  the  friends  of 
despotism. 

The  analogy  of  history  prophesies  only  disaster  to 
follow  a  rebellion  not  grounded  among  the  cottages  of 
the  people,  that  has  no  nobler  purpose  than  the  enrich 
ment  of  the  privileged  classes,  and  the  still  further 
degradation  of  the  poor.  There  is  a  fellowship  in  labor 
throughout  the  world,  whether  turbulent  oceans  surge 
between,  or  lofty  mountains  clad  in  vestures  of  perpetual 
snow  exalt  themselves  as  fictitious  boundaries :  and  while 
Crowns  and  Coronets  were  nodding  approval  to  the 
American  Rebels,  Labor  stood  in  the  old  world  with 
half-drawn  sword,  frowning  upon  them,  and  withjmotion- 
less  finger  pointing  to  the  open  book  in  which  their 
destiny  was  written. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  15 


CHAPTER    II. 

In  peace  there's  nothing  so  becomes  a  man. 
As  modest  stillness  and  humility, 
But  when  the  blast  of  war  blows  in  our  ears. 
Then          *       *       *  * 

bend  up  every  spirit 
To  its  full  height ' 

KINO  HKNRV  V. 

Eighteen  months  of  war  passed  away,  and  the  rebel 
lious  states  were  not  conquered.  There  were  gleams  of 
light,  but  more  clouds  of  darkness.  There  had,  indeed, 
been  a  terrible  baptism  of  blood,  but  indifferent  success 
attended  our  arms.  Children  mourned  parents,  wives 
husbands,  and  mothers  sons,  slain  by  fratricidal  hands, 
sacrificed  upon  our  country's  altar  and  in  Freedom's 
cause. 

To  meet  the  exigencies  of  the  service,  and  replenish 
the  shattered  and  depleted  ranks  of  the  patriot  army,  on 
the  2d  of  July,  1862,  the  President  of  the  United 
States  issued  a  call  for  Three  Hundred  Thousand  men,  to 
serve  three  years,  or  during  the  war.  The  quota  allo\ved 
to  the  state  of  New  York,  of  this  number,  was  about 
one-fiftlff  or  near  sixty  thousand. 

To  systematize  the  labor  of  enlisting  volunteers,  to 
facilitate  the  work,  and  give  every  section  an  opportunity 
to  bear  its  proper  burden  in  the  easiest  manner,  the  state 
was  divided  into  districts,  (except  the  districts  comprised 
by  the  city  of  New  York),  each  senatorial  district  being 
required  to  raise  at  least  one  regiment.  The  order  of  the 
Adjutant  General  of  the  state  directed  each  company  to- 
be  organized  as  follows : 


]<3  KECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Minimum.  Maximum. 

1   Captain.  1  Captain. 

1  First  Lieutenant.  1  First  Lieutenant. 

1  Second  Lieutenant.  1  Second  Lieutenant. 

1  First  Sergeant.  1  First  Sergeant. 
4  Sergeants.  4  Sergeants. 

8  Corporals.  8  Corporals. 

2  Musicians.  2  Musicians. 
1  Wagoner.  1   Wagoner. 

64  Privates.  82  Privates. 

83  Aggregate.  101  Aggregate. 

The  order  further  directed  that  each  enlisted  person 
be  between  the  ages  of  eighteen  and  forty-five  years ; 
if  a  minor,  the  written  consent  of  the  parent  or  guardian 
must  be  obtained,  and  each  recruit  must  be  free  from  any 
defect  that  would  incapacitate  him  from  military  service. 

On  the  completion  of  ten  companies,  of  the  minimum 
standard,  in  any  regimental  district,  they  were  to  be 
formed  into  a  regiment,  to  be  organized  as  follows : 

Minimum.  Maximum, 

830  Company  Officers  and  enlisted  1010  Company  Officers  and  enlist- 

men.  ed  men. 

1  Colonel.  1  Colonel. 

1  Lieutenant-Colonel.  ]   Lieutenant-Colonel. 

1  Major.  1  Major. 

1  Adjutant.  1  Adjutant. 

Regimental  Quartermaster.  1  Regimental  Quartermaster. 

Surgeon.  1   Surgeon. 

Assistant  Surgeon.*  1   Assistant  Surgeon. 

Chaplain.  1  Chaplain. 

Sergeant-Major.  1   Sergeant-Major. 

Regimental  Quartermaster-  1  Regimental  Quart^rmaster- 

Sergeant.  Sergeant. 

1   Regimental  Commissary-  ]   Regimental  Commissary- 
Sergeant.  Sergeant. 

1  Hospital  Steward.  1  Hospital  Steward. 

2  Principal  Musicians.  2  Principal  Musicians. 

844  Aggregate.  1024  Aggregate. 

A  commander  for  each  regiment  was  first  to  be  appoint 
ed  by  the  Commander-in-chief,  to  be  commissioned  upon 

•  About  this  time,  by  an  act  of  Congress,  an  additional  Assistant  Surgeon  was 
appointed. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEG1MENT.  17 

its  completion.  Under  this  call  and  arrangement,  the 
OXE  HUNDRED  AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT  New  York 
State  Volunteers  sprung  into  existence. 

To  perfect  the  organization,  and  aid  in  recruiting  a 
regiment  in  the  Twenty-third  Senatorial  District,  his 
Excellency,  Governor  Morgan,  appointed  the  following 
well-known  and  influential  gentlemen,  to  represent  the 
interest  of  each  county,  constituting  what  was  called  :i 
"  Citizens'  Regimental  Committee." 

CIIEXAXGO  COUNTY. — Henry  A.  Clark,  Chairman,  Bainbridge;  B. 
(rage  Berry,  Harvey  Hubbard,  Philander  B.  Prindle,  Norwich;  Hen 
ry  R.  Mygatt,  Oxford;  Gen.  Levi  Harris,  South  New  Berlin;  Dr. 
William  I).  Purple,  Frederick  Juliand,  Greene. 

CORTLAXD  C-orxTY. — Henry  S.  Randall,  Horatio  Ballard,  R,  Holland 
Duell,  M.  C.,  Cortland  village. 

MADISON  COUNTY. — Gen.  Benjamin  R  Bi  uce,  Lenox;  Gen.  Zadock 
T.  Bentley,  William  F.  Bonney,  Morrisville  ;  John  J.  Foote,  J.  Hunt 
Smith,  Hamilton.. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  committee  was  held  at  the 
Eagle  Hotel,  in  the  village  of  Norwich,  on  Wednesday, 
the  16th  day  of  July,  1862,  nearly  all  of  whom  were 
present.  The  Hon.  Henry  A.  Clark,  of'  Chenango, 
assumed  the  chair,  and  J.  "Hunt  Smith,  of  Madison,  was 
appointed  secretary. 

There  was  a  full  and  free  interchange  of  sentiment,  in 
regard  to  a  proper  person  for  regimental  commander,  and 
several  distinguished  names  were  brought  forward  from 
which  to  make  the  selection.  Among  those  most  promi 
nent,  were  Generals  Benjamin  F.  Bruce,  Thomas  F. 
Petrie,  and  P.  P.  Brown  of  Madison  University,  all  from 
Madison  county. 

After  a  protracted  conference,  General  Bruce,  upon 
motion  of  Mr.  Randall,  of  Cortland,  was  unanimously 


18  RECCED  OF  THE  OXE  HUNDEED 

nominated  commander  of  the  regiment  representing  the 
Twenty-third  Senatorial  District,  By  direction  of  the 
meeting,  a  telegram  was  sent  to  his  home  in  Lenox,  noti 
fying  him  of  the  choice  of  the  committee,  and  asking  his 
acceptance  of  the  office. 

After  an  appointment  by  the  chair  of  Dr.  William  D. 
Purple,  Philander  B.  Prindle  and  Hon.  John  J.  Foote,  as 
a  committee  to  report  a  just  apportionment  to  each 
county  of  the  district,  and  each  town  of  the  several 
counties,  of  the  number  of  men  required  to  be  raised  in 
each  for  the  formation  of  a  regiment  of  the  maximum 
standard,  the  meeting  adjourned  to  half-past  six,  P.  M. 

Upon  re-assembling,  a  communication  received  from 
General  Bruce  was  read,  announcing,  that,  for  reasons 
beyond  his  control,  he  could  not  accept  the  appointment 
with  which  he  had  been  so  highly  honored. 

Other  names  were  'canvassed.  The  office,  in  fact, 
sought  for  men,  rather  than  men  for  the  office.  At 
length,  after  much  discussion  and  deliberation,  altogether 
fit  and  proper  as  it  was  unexpected,  neither  himself  nor 
friends  making  any  solicitation  of  the  kind,  the  choice, 
upon  motion  of  Mr.  Foote,  of  Madison,  fell  upon  that 
worthy  citizen,  the  Hon.  Elisha  B.  Smith,  of  Chenango. 

Not  without  many  misgivings  as  to  his  fitness  for  the 
place,  not  without  invoking  wisdom  from  on  high  to 
guide  and  direct  him  in  his  efforts  and  crown  his  labors 
with  success,  did  he  accept  the  delicate  and  important 
position.  In  appearing,  by  request,  before  the  meeting, 
after  returning  suitable  acknowledgments  f<5r  the  distinc 
tion  conferred  upon  him,  he  pledged  his  whole  soul 
thoroughly  to  execute,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  the 
high  and  responsible  trust  committed  to  his  hands. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  11EGIMENT.  11) 

Iii  giving*  the  proceedings  of  the  committee,  the  Ckc- 
nango  Union,  of  the  23d  of  July,  paid  the  following  just 
tribute  to  the  Regimental  Commander : 

"  Mr.  Smith,  although  without  military  experience,  has 
superior  qualifications  for  the  position,  and  we  believe  his 
appointment,  especially  where  he  is  best  known,  is 
regarded  with  entire  satisfaction.  He  is  a  man  of  energy, 
and  will  devote  himself  at  once  to  the  business  of  recruit 
ing  and  organizing  his  command.  We  know  of  no  good 
reason  Avhy,  in  less  than  sixty  days,  he  should  not  have 
subject  to  his  orders  the  best  regiment  in  the  state.  We 
certainly  wish  him  and  the  cause  every  success."  * 

*  The  press  in  various  parts  of  the  State  gave  complimentary  notices  on  the  ap 
pointment  of  Col.  Smith,  from  which,  among  many,  the  following  extracts  are 
selected : 

OCR  COMMAN»ANT. — That  his  appointment  has  clone  much  to  infuse  vigor  into 
the  organization  is  a  fact  that  is  being  made  clear  each  day,  and  there  cannot  be  a 
doubt  that  to  his  personal  exertions  and  careful  supervision  of  all  the  details  of  its 
formation,  we  shall  be  indebted  for  the  early  filling  np  of  the  ranks.  In  the  mi 
nutest  particular  that  touches  the  weliare  and  success  of  the  regiment,  his  interest 
is  intense,  and  no  man  who  shows  a  desire  to  do  even  the  simplest  thing  to  aid  it, 
can  find  cause  to  complain  that  the  Colonel  does  not  fairly  and  fully  understand 
him,  and  take  advantage  of  what  he  has  to  offer. — Chcnanyo  Telegraph, 

Pusu  ON  THK  COLUMN. — Mr.  Smith  was  not  an  aspirant  for  the  new  honor  which 
has  been  given  him.  It  was  not  of  his  seeking.  His  fellow  citizens  of  the  com 
mittee,  acting  for  the  State  and  the  Nation,  called  him  to  their  service,  and  like  a 
loyal  and  patriotic  citizen  he  promptly  obeyed  the  summons.  Some  of  the  bright 
est  examples  of  self-sacrificing  patriotism  in  the  history  of  the  world,  have  been 
thus  called  from  the  walks  of  private  life  to  enter  the  public  service.  Mr.  Smith's 
acceptance  of  the  trust,  under  the  circumstances,  is  a  fair  example  of  jn'ompt  and 
patriotic  self-sacrifice  and  devotion. — Oxford  Times. 

He  is  "the  right  man  in  the  right  place."  Energetic  and  persevering,  and  well 
calculated  to  win  popular  favor,  Mr.  Smith  will  do  all  that  any  man  could  do 
towards  filling  his  regiment  speedily. — Chenango  American. 

Col.  Smith  has  all  the  energy  and  determination  required  to  make  a  good  officer, 
and  I  know  that  he  has  all  the  personal  popularity  required  to  bring  the  requisite 
number  of  volunteers  to  his  standard.  In  the  field  his  motto  will  be  "  follow 
me  !"  "  Long  may  he  wave." — yew  York  Correspondent  Chenango  American. 


20  KECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Dr.  Purple,  from  tlie  apportionment  committee,  report 
ed  that,  in  the  formation  of  a  full  regiment,  the  quota  of 
men  required  from  the  county  of  Chenango,  was  two 
hundred  and  forty ;  and  from  the  county  of  Madison, 
three  hundred  and  ninety-six,  as  estimated  by  the  census 
of  I860.* 

The  committee  was  increased  by  additional  names,  so 
as  to  make  fifteen  in  each  county  of  the  district.  Messrs. 
Isaac  Sherwood,  of  Oxford ;  James  M.  Phillips,  of  Cov 
entry  ;  Elias  Livermore,  of  German ;  Dr.  John  Clarke, 
of  Guilfbrd  ;s  Charles  T.  Ackley,  of  McDonough ;  Henry 
K.  Champlin,  of  Pitcher;  and  T.  H.  Matteson,  of^Sher- 
burne ;  were  added  to  the  committee  from  Chenango. 

At  a  subsequent  meeting,  called  together  by  the  Chair 
man,  an  Executive  Committee,  consisting  of  Philander 
B.  Prindle,  Walter  M.  Conkey,  and  B.  Gage  Berry,  was 
appointed,  Avhose  duty  it  was  to  act  in  the  place  of  the 
general  committee,  having  a  general  oversight  of  the 
Regiment  and  its  organization.  This  committee,  however, 
and  all  others,  declined  to  override  in  any  respect  the 
•wishes,  or  urge  names  for  officers  upon  the  Regimental 
Commander.  He,  and  lie  alone,  was  responsible  for  the 

He  is  alive  with  energy,  and  is  pressing  the  completeness  of  his  regiment  with 
great  spirit.  Those  who  know  him  best  anticipate  for  him  a  brilliant  career  in  the 
field. — Hamilton  Union. 

The  selection  of  Mr.  Smith  was  entirely  unexpected  by  him,  but  he  has  determ 
ined  to  accept,  and  is  now  in  this  city  to  make  the  necessary  arrangements  with 
the  Military  Department.  He  is  a  prominent  and  energetic  man,  and  the  selection 
is  an  excellent  one.— Albany  Argus. 

The  District  is  fortunate  in  having  secured  the  services  of  a  gentleman  so 
thoroughly  practical,  energetic  and  popular.—  A Ibany  Journal. 

*  It  is  well  to  state  that  this  apportionment  of  quotas  was  disregarded  in  the 
raising  of  men.  Cortland  County  furnished  but  a  few  men  for  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT".  21 

efficiency  and  proper  conduct  of  his  subordinates;  and 
they  wisely  preferred  that  he,  perfectly  untrammelled, 
should  make  his  own  selections. 

The  order  for  organizing  regiments,  also  required:  tlial 
an  Adjutant,  Quartermaster  and  Surgeon,  in  addition-  to- 
the  Commandant,  be  at  once  appointed.  Samuel  R.  Per 
Lee,  of  Norwich,  a  gentleman  of  much  energy  and  Par**;!1 
business  experience,  was  accordingly  assigned  to  the  postf 
of  Adjutant,  (also  acting  as  mustering  officer  and  Quar 
termaster),  and  Levi  P.  Wagner,  of  Oxford,  who  stocwi 
high  in  the  medical  profession,  to  that  of  Surgeon.  The- 
Chemango  Union,  of  July  30th,  thus  endorses  the  newly 
appointed  Adjutant : 

"  Mr.  Per  Lee  has  some  military  experience,  and  is  a 
gentleman  of  intelligence,  energy  and  capacity.  He  wI13 
enter  upon  the  duties  of  the  post  with  the  enthusiasm 
and  earnestness  which  are  a  part  of  his  character,  and  w<r 
look  for  a  speedy  increase  of  enlistments,,  as.  the  result  of* 
his  efforts  and  influence.  It  is  not  too  mueh  to  say,  that 
no  better  appointment  could  have  been  made." 

A  rendezvous  was  established  on  grounds  of  Mr, 
Stephen  Smith,  near  the  west  bank  of  the  Chenangc* 
river,  a  little  north  of  Rexford  street,  in-  Norwich  village 
and  the  contract  for  supplying  the  regiment  with  rations,, 
awarded  to  Newman  Gates  of  Norwich,  for  thirty-five? 
cents  a  day,  for  each  soldier.  Recruiting  papers  wen- 
furnished  various  responsible  individuals,  recruiting 
offices  opened  in  different  parts  of  the  district,  and  the 
whole  machinery  rapidly  put  in  working  order.  Examin 
ations  in  the  Surgeon's  office,  on  South  Main  street,  were 
constantly  going  on ;  in  some  instances,  as  many  as  two 
hundred  passed  the  rigid  scrutiny  ©f  Surgeon  Wagner  m 


22  1SECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

a  single  day.  A  depot  of  supplies  was  opened  in  the 
Guernsey  block ;  and  detailed  men  and  clerks  were  con 
tinually  employed  in  perfecting  papers  and  dressing  the 
men  in  blue.  Walter  A.  Cook,  Esq.,  of  Norwich,  chief 
clerk,  was  unceasing  in  his  labors,  and  rendered  valuable 
aid. 

No  volunteering,  before  or  afterwards,  during  the  war, 
was  equal  to  it.  The  alacrity  and  spirit  with  which 
those  loyal  to  the  Union,  without  distinction  of  creed,  or 
sect,  or  party,  responded  to  the  call,  showed  how  deeply 
rooted,  having  6iice  tasted  the  sweets  of  Liberty,  is  the 
principle  of  Freedom,  implanted  in  the  hearts  of  men. 

The  artizan  dropped  his  tools  in  the  shop,  the  farmer 
left  his  plough  in -"the  furrow,  men  of  gray  hairs  forsook 
their  firesides,  the  student  threw  aside  his  books,  the 
factory  gave  up  its  hands,  men  of  business  and  men  of  no 
employ,  cheerfully  came  forward  in  answer  to  the  de 
mands  of  their  imperilled  country. 

As  in  the  beginning — in  our  first  great  struggle  for  a 
nation's  life,  blood  and  treasure  were  not  withheld  till 
the  sacrifice  was  complete,  and  government  upon  the 
broad  base  of  democracy  established — so  now,  in  the 
second  great  struggle  of  America  for  national  existence, 
at  whatever  cost  or  sacrifice,  our  glorious  Union  of  States, 
our  civil  and  religious  institutions,  must  be  preserved  and 
perpetuated. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  23 


CHAPTER    III. 

"  Let  men  take  heed  of  their  company." 

KING  HENKY  IV. 

The  ten  Companies  composing  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  were  raised  and  organized  in 
separate  towns  and  communities.  They,  have  distinct 
histories,  previous  to  their  consolidation  into  a  regimental 
organization. 

It  is  proposed,  at  this  place,  to  furnish  a  brief  account 
of  events  that  occurred  in  the  formation  of  each  compa 
ny,  before  it  became  identified  with  the  record  of  the 
regiment. 

FIRST  OXFORD  COMPANY,  "A." 

Learning  that  a  Regiment  was  to  be  raised  in  the  Twen 
ty-third  Senatorial  District  of  this  State,  of  which  Elisha 
B.  Smith  was  to  be  Colonel,  the  inhabitants  of  Oxfofd 
were  fully  awake  and  ready  for  action.  Many  were 
anxious  to  enlist,  and  a  standard-bearer  was  all  that 
seemed  necessary,  to  rally  the  young  men  of  that  and 
adjoining  towns  to  the  defense  of  their  country. 

Among  those  who  felt  the  necessity  for  immediate 
action  was  Oscar  H.  Curtis,  a  young  lawyer  of  promise,, 
recently  settled  in  practice  in  the  village  of  Oxford.  Un 
able  longer  to  resist  the  calls  of  his  country,  on  Saturday, 
the  19th  of  July,  he  said  to  his  friends,  "I'll  go!" 

Immediately,  Henry  R.  Mygatt,  Esq.,  of  the  District 
Committee,  telegraphed  to  the  Governor  for  papers- 
authorizing  Mr.  Curtis  to  recruit  for  the  Regiment.  The- 


£4  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

appointment  was  promptly  made,  and  the  order,  mailed 
tfee  same  day,  was  received  by  Mr.  Curtis  on  the  22d 
of  that  month. 

Mr,  Curtis's  law  office  was  turned  into  a  recruiting 
office,  A  meeting  was  held  in  Lewis's  Hall,  in  Oxford, 
ontke  24th  of  July,  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  for  the  purpose 
of  taking  steps  to  push  on  recruiting.  Henry  R.  Mygatt 
presided,  and  speeches  were  made  by  the  President, 
Captain  Curtis,  J.  W.  Glover,  S.  Bundy  and  Wm.  H. 
Hyde,  Esqrs.,  of  Oxford. 

A  resolution  was  offered,  to  raise  by  subscription  suffi 
cient  means  to  defray  all  the  necessary  expenses  of  raising 
a  company.  Great  enthusiasm  prevailed,  and  over  one 
thousand  dollars  was  raised  on  the  spot,  and  ten  dollars 
town  bounty  voted  to  each  recruit  for  the  first  Oxford 
Company. 

Several  of  the  old  students  of  Captain  Curtis  had 
already  enlisted ;  among  them  S.  S.  Stafford  and  D.  W. 
Tamer,  of  Preston ;  James  E.  Gilbert,  of  Guilford ;  and 
Joseph  Washburn,  of  Oxford,  and,  under  his  direction, 
w^re  efficient  in  arousing  the  people  and  procuring 
enlistments.  Rev.  A.  S.  South-worth,  of  Guilford — after 
wards  First  Sergeant — was  likewise  instrumental  in 
obtaining  recruits  from  that  town. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  towns  of  Preston,  Smithville, 
McDonough,  Guilford,  Bainbridge  and  Afton,  and  a 
competent  corps  of  speakers,  among  whom  were  Messrs. 
Bimdy,  Glover,  and  Hyde,  volunteered  their  services; 
together  with  the  Oxford  Brass  Band.  The  result  was 
that,  on  the  sixth  day  of  August,  a  sufficient  number  were 
mustered  by  Adjutant  Per  Lee,  at  Oxford,  to  form  a 
Company,  entitling  Captain  Curtis  to  the  honor  of  having 
nosed  the  first  Company,  thereby  securing  to  him  the  right 


AND  FOURTEENTH  HEGIMENT.  25 

of  the  Regiment,  and  the  post  of  honor  and  preferment. 
The  same  day  the  Company  reported  at  Norwich,  and  was 
the  first  full  Company  that  assembled  at  the  rendezvous. 
The  procession  of  vehicles  of  all  sorts,  filled  with  the 
bone  and  sinew  of  Oxford  and  adjoining*  towns,  with 
drums  beating  and  colors  flying,  headed  by  Captain  Cur 
tis  and  Horace  Packer,  Esq.,  and  accompanied  by 
numerous  citizens  of  Oxford,  was  truly  inspiring. 

Halting  before  the  Eagle  Hotel,  they  were  received  by 
Colonel  Smith,  who  in  brief  but  appropriate  remarks, 
congratulated  them  upon  being  Company  A  of  the 
Regiment. 

They  were  cheered  and  welcomed  by  the  the  people  of 
Norwich ;  hearty  cheers  in  response  being  given  by  the 
men  of  Company  A  for  Colonel  Smith,  the  "  Old  Flag,'" 
and  the  citizens  of  the  county  seat  of  Chenango. 

This  was  but  an  instance,  of  what  almost  daily  occurred 
by  the  arrival  of  other  Companies,  till  the  Regiment  was 
completed. 

FIRST  NORWICH  COMPANY,  «B.'' 

In  the  forepart  of  July,  1862,  Jacob  S.  Bockee,  of 
Norwich,  commenced  recruiting  a  Company  for  Colonel 
Kingsley's  Regiment,  of  the  "  Spinola  Brigade."  Upon 
the  appearance  of  the  Adjutant  General's  order  in  relation 
to  the  additional  force  to  be  raised  in  the  state,  preferring 
to  be  connected  with  a  home  organization,  Captain 
Bockee  visited  Albany,  and  obtained  from  Governor  Mor 
gan  authority  to  recruit  a  Company  for  the  Regiment  to 
be  raised  in  the  Twenty-third  Senatorial  District.  By  the 
time  the  One  Huudred  -and  Fourteenth  was  organized,  a 
good  start  was  made  for*a  Company. 


20  EECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

On  the  evening  of  the  30tli  of  July,  an  enthusiastic 
War  Meeting  was  held  at  Concert  Hall,  in  Norwich,  over 
which  Rev.  W.  H.  Olin  presided.  Hon.  S.  M.  Purdy , 
Hon.  Charles  York,  James  II.  Smith,  John  F.  Hubbard, 
W.  M.  Conkey,  David  Griffing,  H.  N.  Walter  and  B.  F. 
Rexford  were  appointed  Vice  Presidents;  and  David 
Bedford,  John  F.  Hubbard  Jr.,  George  C.  Rice  and 
Daniel  M.  Holmes,  Secretaries.  Messrs.  P.  B.  Prindle,  S. 
S.  Mcrritt,  B.  G.  Berry,  L.  Kingsley  and  H.  G.  Prindle, 
were  appointed  a  committee  on  resolutions.  Patriotic 
addresses  were  made  by  Gen.  B.  F.  Bruce  and  Prof.  P. 
P.  Brown,  of  Madison  County,  and  by  Colonel  E.  B. 
Smith,  B.  F.  Rexford,  Esq.,  Rev.  Messrs.  Scoville,  Searls, 
Ward,  Benedict  and  Olin.  Volunteers  being  called  for, 
several  came  forward  and  enrolled  their  names,  amidst  the 
cheers  of  the  audience.  The  people  generally  were 
awakened  to  vigorous  effort. 

August  2d  a  meeting  was  held  in  New  Berlin,  Rev.  Mr. 
Burnside  presiding,  which  was  addressed  by  E.  II. 
Prindle,  B.  G.  Berry,  and  Dr.  Henry,  of  Washington. 
Captain  Bockee  also  made  a  few  remarks,  pledging  him 
self  not  only  to  go  with  his  men,  but  to  stay  with  them. 

On  the  8th,  a  meeting  was  held  in  East  Pharsalia,  which 
was  addressed  by  Isaac  S.  Newton,  Esq.,  of  Norwich, 
and  others.  Charles  A.  Sunnier,  son  of  Sherman  Sunnier, 
of  Pharsalia,  came  forward  and  enlisted.  The  father,  in 
commendation  of  the  course  of  his  son,  made  a  thrilling 
and  affecting  speech.  The  example  of  young  Sumner 
was  followed  by  others. 

About  the  same  time,  a  meeting  was  held  in  North 
Norwich,  which  was  addressed  by  B.  G.  Berry  and  Dr. 
Beecher.  Captain  Bockee  b^hg  present,  renewedly 
pledged  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  his  men. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  27 

The  first  man  enlisted  in  this  Company,  being  the  first 
in  the  Regiment,  was  Loren  D.  Newell,  of  North  Norwich, 
who  enlisted  on  the  12th  day  of  July.  Isaac  Burch,  a 
compositor  in  the  Chenango  Union  office,  enlisted  on  the 
14th,  exchanging  the  "shooting  stick"  for  the  "shooting 
iron,"  and  immediately  commenced  recruiting  in  New 
Berlin.  Lieutenant  Edwin  O.  Gibson,  of  South  New 
Berlin,  labored  successfully  in  obtaining  recruits  from 
that  portion  of  the  town.  On  the  10th  of  August  the 
men  were  mustered,  forming  the  second  Company  of  the 
Regiment. 

SECOND  NORWICH  COMPANY,  "  C." 

On  or  about  the  4th  of  August,  Platt  Titus,  of  North 
Norwich,  then  of  Norwich,  received  authorization  papers 
to  recruit  a  Company  for  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  Regiment.  On  the  evening  of  the  5th,  a  meeting 
was  held  in  Plymouth,  which  was  addressed  by  Rev.  Sv 
Scoville,  E.  H.  Prindle  and  others,  and  which  was 
attended  by  Captains  Titus  and  Bockee.  On  that  day 
a  number  of  volunteers  were  obtained  for  this  Company, 
and  sworn  in. 

Previous  to  this,  William  H.  Chamberlain,  of  Mt. 
Upton,  had  opened  a  recruiting  oifice  in  that  village.  In 
addition  to  the  bounties  oifered  by  the  National  and 
State  Governments,  the  citizens  of  Mt.  Upton  offered  a 
bounty  of  three  dollars  to  each  person  recruited  at  that 
station.  On  the  evening  of  the  7th,  a  meeting  was  held 
in  Mt.  Upton,  which  was  addressed  by  E.  H.  Prindle  and 
Hamilton  Phelps,  of  Norwich,  and  by  George  W.  Cham 
berlain  of  the  former  place.  Mr.  Chamberlain  obtained, 
in  all,  about  twenty-five  recruits. 

Learning  that  the  Regiment  was  rapidly  filling  up,  and 
fearing  he  might  not  obtain  a  desirable  place  for  his  men, 


28  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

on  the  morning  of  the  llth,  he  came  with  his  squad  to 
Norwich.  Arrangements  were  made  with  Captain  Titus, 
whereby  the  men  Avere  secured  for  his  Company,  which 
made  it  sufficiently  full  for  muster  on  the  afternoon  of 
that  day.  As  several  of  the  recruits  were  minors,  not  as 
yet  having  the  consent  of  their  parents  or  guardians,  lest 
there  might  be  a  deficiency  for  a  maximum  Company,  a 
meeting  was  held  in  the  evening  by  Captain  Titus,  in  the 
Baptist  Church,  at  North  Norwich,  which  was  addressed 
by  H.  G.  Prindle,  Lewis  Kingsley  and  others,  of  Nor 
wich.  Several  additional  names  were  obtained.  Lieuten 
ant  Shubal  A.  Brooks,  Norman  Lewis,  and  John  Bagg,  of 
Norwich,  Harlow  C.  Glazier,  and  Loren  II.  Janes,  of 
Plymouth,  and  other  volunteers,  were  efficient  in  obtain 
ing  recruits  for  the  Company.  Corporal  C.  J.  Biggs, 
since  Lieutenant,  did  good  service  in  making  up  the  roll. 
The  last  man  enlisted  in  the  Regiment  before  it  left 
Norwich,  was  in  Company  C,  (to  fill  vacancy  of  a 
minor), — Henry  Newton,  of  Guilford,  late  of  North 
Norwich,  on  the  5th  day  of  September.  His  was  the 
first  death  in  the  Company,  he  dying  of  fever,  at  Fortress 
Monroe,  early  in  the  month  of  December. 

EATON  AND  LEBANON  COMPANY,  "D." 

Influential  citizens  of  Eaton  and  Lebanon,  in  looking 
about  for  some  one  to  go  forth  with,  and  lead  the  young 
men  of  these  towns  to  battle,  the  name  of  Henry  B. 
Morse,  of  the  former  place,  was  at  once  suggested.  Ap 
plication  was  immediately  made  to  Governor  Morgan  for 
authorization  papers  to  recruit  a  Company,  which,  upon 
the  recommendation  of  Colonel  Smith,  were  forwarded  to 
Mr.  Morse,  about  the  first  of  August. 

As  there  were,  at  that  time,  two  C  ompanies  being  or 
ganized  in  Hamilton,  it  was  decided  best  to  canvass  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  20 

County  for  volunteers.  Arrangements  were  accordingly 
made  with  Robert  P.  York,  of  De  Ruyter,  and  James  E. 
Wedge,  of  Lebanon,  to  assist  in  raising  the  Company. 
Meetings  were  held  in  Eaton,  Morrisville,  Lebanon,  De 
Ruyter,  Nelson,  Georgetown  and  other  places.  Among 
the  speakers  were  Hon.  Sidney  T.  Holmes,  Charles  Ken 
nedy,  L.  B.  Kern  and  Alexander  Cramphin,  of  Morrisville ; 
P.  P.  Brown  and  A.  N.  Shelden,  of  Hamilton ;  and  David 
Mitchell,  Esq.,  of  Syracuse.  In  addition  to  these,  B.  E. 
Hoppin,  Messrs.  Avery  and  Baker,  of  Lebanon ;  Lucius 
P.  Clarke  and  others,  of  Morrisville ;  Hon.  S.  Rider, 
A.  V.  Bentley,  R.  E.  Fail-child,  H.  C.  Miner,  Colonel 
Whitford,  J.  B.  Wells  and  Rev.  Messrs.  Tomlinson  and 
Clark,  of  De  Ruyter;  Ellis  Coman,  George  E.  Morse, 
Gorham  Morse  and  Walter  Morse,  of  Eaton ;  rendered 
efficient  aid  in  raising  the  Company. 

Smith  Case,  afterwards  Lieutenant,  and  James  S.  Stew 
art,  were  among  the  first  enrolled,  and  labored  faithfully 
in  obtaining  enlistments.  On  the  llth  day  of  August, 
the  rolls  showed  that  forty-five  men  had  been  enlisted  in 
the  town  of  Eaton,  thirty-four  in  the  town  of  Lebanon, 
thirty-three  in  De  Ruyter,  eighteen  in  Nelson,  seven  in 
Earlville,  two  in  Georgetown,  and  one  in  Smyrna,  making 
in  all  one  hundred  and  forty. 

On  the  morning  of  August  12th,  the  Company  as 
sembled  at  Eaton,  when  they  were  presented  with  a  flag; 
by  the  citizens  of  that  place.* 

A  large  assembly  was  present  to  witness  the  ceremony 
and  bid  adieu  to  the  departing  volunteers.  The  presenta 
tion  speech  was  made  by  Rev.  Mr.  Wheat,  of  the  Baptist 
Church,  which  was  responded  to  with  much  feeling  by 
Colonel  Morse,  in  behalf  of  the  Company. 

*  This  flag  afterwards  became  the  colors  of  the  Regiment. 


30  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

After  the  exercises  were  concluded,  the  men  left  in 
wagons  for  Norwich.  On  the  13th,  they  were  mustered 
by  Adjutant  Per  Lee. 

GREENE  COMPANY,  "  E." 

Preliminary  to  the  work  of  recruiting  in  Greene,  and  as 
a  first  step  towards  raising  a  Company,  a  war  meeting 
was  held  in  Union  Hall,  in  that  village,  on  Tuesday 
evening,  the  5th  of  August.  The  Chenango  American^ 
in  giving  an  account  of  the  gathering,  contained  the 
following : 

"Union  Hall  was  packed  to  its  utmost  capacity,  and  the  enthusiasm 
was  intense.  The  audience  was  eloquently  addressed  by  Dr.  Wm.  H. 
Doane,  of  Washington,  Gen.  B.  F.  Bruce,  of  Madison,  and  H.  G.  Prin- 
dle,  Esq.,  of  Norwich — with  the  words  of  true,  patriotism  which 
struck  the  cord  of  true  "love  of  country"  in  every  heart,  and  made 
every  one  present  see  that  he  had  a  duty  to  perform,  and  now  was  the 
time  for  action. 

Colonel  Elisha  B.  Smith  was  present,  and  addressed  the  meeting 
with  words  that  came  from  the  heart.  Captain  R.  Macdonald^as  also 
present  with  his  recruiting  papers,  and  the  result  was  most  gratifying. 
John  C.  Reynolds  was  the  first  volunteer,  who  came  forward  and  put 
down  his  name  amid'  a  round  of  cheers.  Others  came  forward  with 
the  stern  resolve  to  serve  their  country  if  strong  arms  and  willing 
hearts  can  do  it,  and  still  they  come.  Our  estimable  townsman,  Mr. 
N.  A.  Dederer,  has  enlisted  for  the  war.  When  such  men  come  for 
ward  and  offer  their  services  to  their  country,  why  should  young  men 
falter.  Come  forward,  then,  young  men  of  Greene,  and  sign  the  roll 
a^d  let  it  not  be  said,  you  faltered  in  the  hour  of  peril." 

A  subscription  of  over  sixteen  hundred  dollars  was 
raised  to  aid  volunteers  and  to  carry  forward  the  good 
begun  work,  and  a  committee  of  five  consisting  of  P.  B. 
Rathbone,  M.  Birdsall,  U.  Whittenhall,  W.  F.  Lyon,  and 
R.  P.  Barnard,  was  appointed  to  solicit  further  subscrip 
tions  to  the  fund. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  31 

The  towns  of  Afton,  Coventry,  and  Smithville  were 
visited,  and  public  addresses  made  by  Captain  Macdonald 
and  others,  who  cheerfully  volunteered  to  aid  him  in 
obtaining  recruits.  Leading  citizens  of  Greene  were 
zealous  and  labored  with  good  effect.  Each  town 

O 

furnished  men  for  the  Company  nearly  as  follows: 
Greene  fifty,  Afton  thirty,  Coventry  eleven,  Smithville 
four.  Subsequent  enlistments  from  those  towns  filled  the 
Company  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  before  it 
reported  at  Norwich.  The  subjoined  extract  is  from  the 
Chenango  American  of  the  14th  of  August  : 

"  A  Company  of  120  men,  under  Captain  Macdonald,  of  this  village, 
was  raised  in  this  town  and  vicinity  in  less  than  a  week.  The  Com 
pany  is  one  of  which  we  may  well  be  proud,  consisting  of  some  of 
the  best  and  most  stalwart  young  men  in  this  section.  Smithville. 
Coventry,  and  Afton  have  all  contributed  towards  this  Company,  and 
we  are  confident  that  it  will  be  a  credit  to  the  Regiment." 

1ST.  A.  Dederer  put  forth  his  best  efforts  to  help  raise 
the  Company,  and  proved  himself  worthy  of  the  position 
subsequently  conferred  upon  him.  Rev.  G.  G.  Donnelly 
of  Afton,  also  did  much  towards  recruiting  the  men  from 
that  town  and  vicinity. 

Just  before  the  Company  left  firreene  for  the  rendezvous, 
the  ladies,  ever  mindful  of  the  future,  and  anticipating 
some  of  the  many  wants  of  the  boys  when  far  away  upon 
the  tented  field,  presented  each  soldier  with  a  "  kit " 
composed  of  needles,  thread  case,  scissors,  &c.  Let  the 
American  tell  the  story : 

"A  PLEASANT  INCIDENT, — Among  the  incidents  consequent  upon  the 
eaving  of  the  Company  from  this  town,  to  join  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment,  was  the  presentation  on  behalf  o£  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society,  of  a  quantity  of  "  soldiers'  kits,"  containing  many  ar 
ticles  of  comfort  for  the  soldiers.  The  Company  was  drawn  up  in  a 
hollow  square  in  front  of  the  Chenango  House,  where  the  presentation 


32  KECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUM  DEED 

was  made,  on  behalf  of  the  Ladies,  by  F.  B.  Fisher.  Captain  Macdon- 
ald  replied  with  feeling  and  opportune  remarks,  the  Company  testify 
ing  their  appreciation  of  the  act  by  hearty  and  repeated  cheering. 
The  boys  left  in  good  spirits,  undoubtedly  bearing  with  them  lighter 
hearts  than  they  left  behind  them." 

SHERBURNE  AND  NEW  BERLIN  COMPANY,  "  F." 

On  Tuesday  evening,  the  29th  of  July,  a  meeting  was 
held  at  White's  Hall,  in  Sherburne  village,  to  aid  in 
raising  volunteers,  in  answer  to  the  call  of  the  President. 
Captain  R.  H.  Alcott,  of  the  First  Michigan  Regiment, 
formerly  of  New  Berlin,  then  suffering  from  wounds  of 
the  head,  received  before  Richmond,  was  called  to  the 
chair,  and  A.  N.  Newton  chosen  Secretary.  Hon.  T.  H. 
Matteson,  Isaac  Plumb  and  Archibald  Whitford  were 
appointed  a  committee  on  resolutions,  and  Dr.  Devillo 
White,  Hiram  Briggs,  Esq.,  Charles  Lewis,  Sen.,  Lucius 
Newton,  and  Jacob  Hickok,  a  committee  to  solicit  con 
tributions  to  pay  a  bounty  to  local  volunteers.  The  meet 
ing  was  ably  addressed  by  E.  H.  Prindle  and  B.  Gage 
Berry,  of  Norwich,  and  T.  H.  Matteson  and  Rev.  Mr. 
Curtis,  of  Sherburne.  Several  other  gentlemen  made 
brief  but  spirited  remarks.  Charles  H.  Colwell,  of  Sher 
burne,  who  had  received  authority  from  the  Governor  to 
raise  a  Company,  came  forward  and  signed  the  rolls, 
several  young  men  following  his  example. 

War  meetings  were  also  held  in  Columbus,  Smyrna, 
and  Eaiiville,  which  generally  were  a  success.  Among 
the  speakers  were  Isaac  S.  Newton,  Esq.,  Hon.  T.  H. 
Matteson,  and  the  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher 
and  Captain  Tucker  of  Hamilton.  Captain  Colwell  ob 
tained  fifty-seven  recruits,  a  larger  part  from  Sherburne, 
the  towns  adjacent  furnishing  a  few  of  the  men. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  33 

On  the  13th,  Captain  Colwell's  men  assembled  in 
Sherburne,  and  were  briefly  addressed  by  Rev.  Mr. 
Curtis,  after  which  a  prayer  was  offered,  when  they 
started  for  Norwich. 

Adrian  Foote,  of , New  Berlin,  received  authority  to 
enroll  volunteers,  in  special  orders  from  A.  G.  O.  State  of 
New  York,  dated  the  1st  day  of  August.  It  only 
required  the  leadership  of  some  responsible  person,  to 
induce  the  first  young  men  of  that  town  and  vicinity  to 
volunteer.  Lieutenant  Adrian  Foote  was  the  chosen 
man.  Among  others,  William  D.  Thurber,  J.  C.  Tallman 
and  Charles  L.  Brown,  came  to  him  saying  :  "  If  you  will 
go,  I'll  go."  Quietly  he  went  to  work,  and  by  the  assis 
tance  of  influential  citizens,  and  the  volunteers  themselves, 
recruited  fifty-two  men  in  the  course  of  a  few  days.  So 
rapidly  was  the  Regiment  filling  up,  that  neither  Captain 
Colwell  nor  Lieutenant  Foote  could  fill  a  Company  in 
time  to  be  admitted.  The  two,  consequently,  united  in 
organizing  a  Company,  which  was  mustered  on  the  13th 
day  of  August,  Lieutenant  Foote  taking  into  the  organi 
zation  the  whole  number  recruited  by  iiim,  and  Captain 
Colwell  forty-six  men.  The  balance  of  those  enlisted, 
were  transferred  to  the  Madison  County  Regiment. 

HAMILTON  AND  BROOKFIELD  COMPANY,  "G." 
Permission  having  been  granted  by  Governor  Morgan 
to  Charles  E.  Tucker  and  Charles  W.  Underbill,  of  Mad 
ison  University,  to  recruit  a  Company  for  the  Regiment 
to  be  raised  in  the  District,  the  work  was  commenced  by 
the  enrollment  of  the  above  names,  together  with  Henry 
P.  Corbin  and  Albert  A.  Nichols  of  Hamilton,  on  the 
22d  of  July.  Other  enlistments  soon  followed,  and  the 
work  of  obtaining  the  requisite  number  of  men  was 
prosecuted  in  Brookfield,  Hamilton,  and  Stockbridge. 


34  BECOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

War  meetings  were  held  in  important  localities;  at 
Hamilton,  Clarksville,  Leonardsville,  North  Brookfield 
and  Hubbardsvillc,  which  were  addressed  by  Captain 
Tucker  and  Lieutenant  Underhill.  Rev.  Mr.  Fletcher,  E. 
B.  Hulbert,  Colonel  P.  P.  Brown,  and  numerous  citizens  of 
Hamilton,  with  Messrs.  Green,  Brownell,  and  Dunbar,  of 
East  Hamilton,  assisted  in  the  meetings  and  in  various 
other  ways.  The  people  generally,  of  the  several  towns, 
co-operated,  every  effort  being  put  forth  which  at  that 
early  day  was  deemed  necessary. 

From  July  30th,  Homer  W.  Searle,  of  Leonardsville, 
was  also  engaged  in  recruiting,  principally  in  Brookfield, 
going  about  from  house  to  house,  and  talking  with  the 
inhabitants  upon  the  subject.  Seconded  in  his  efforts  by 
Hon.  William.  H.  Brand  and  other  prominent  citizens  of 
that  place,  he  succeeded  in  obtaining  forty-three  recruits 
from  the  town  of  Brookfield.  Hamilton  furnished  nearly 
the  same  number,  and  Stockbridge  some  twelve  men. 
The  Company  was  full  on  the  13th  of  August,  though 
some  changes  and  substitutions  were  ma^de  after  that  date, 
so  that  eventually  it  contained  a  few  men  who  were  en 
listed  at  Norwich. 

On  the  18th,  the  volunteers  from  Brookfield  and  that 
section,  assembled  with  their  friends  at  Leonardsville  for 
a  final  leave-taking.  The  occasion  was  one  of  deep 
interest,  and  brought  together  several  thousand  persons, 
from  an  extended  region  of  country.  Words  of  encour 
agement  were  -  spoken,  while  hearts  were  overwhelmed 
with  sadness.  Many  little  gifts  were  offered.  A  befit 
ting  address  was  delivered  by  Hon.  W.  II.  Brand,  earnest, 
eloquent  and  patriotic,  Avhich  fully  brought  the  assembly 
in  sympathy  with  the  events  of  the  hour.  Mr.  Brand 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT,  35 

Closed  his  address,  which  throughout  was  replete  with 
instruction,  as  follows : 

SOLDIERS:  Respected  at  home,  as  townsmen,  neighbors,  and  associ 
ates,  and  connected  to  us  by  the  ties  of  kindred ;  you  who  have  left 
y«sur  daily  avocations,  the  scythe  in  the  swath,  the  hammer  upon  the 
anvil,  and  the  plane  on  the  bench,  and  have  exchanged  the  endear 
ments  of  home  for  the  exposures,  dangers  and  casualties  of  the  tented 
field  and  its  scenes  of  battle ;  you  have  this  day  voluntarily  assumed 
afc  your  country's  call,  a  most  honorable  position.  ~No  class  of  men, 
whatever  their  birth  or  nativity,  are  more  justly  entitled  to  the  un 
qualified  gratitude  and  admiration  of  the  country,  than  the  dignified, 
fcoaest-hearted,  loyal  American  soldiery.  Many  of  JTOU  leave  lucrative 
employments,  to  nobly  risk  your  lives  for  an  imperiled  country.  A 
ozagnanimous  people  will  ever  accord  to  you  honesty  of  purpose. 
3Sor,  when  the  sacrifices  you  make,  or  the  pittance  you  receive  as  pay. 
are  considered,  will  it  behoove  any  to  say  that  your  motives  are  oth 
erwise  than  purely  patriotic. 

If  ill  betide  you,  your  misfortunes  will  be  our  misfortunes.  We 
«ljall  think  of  you  at  morning,  noon,  and  evening.  We  are  proud  of 
you  to-day,  we  expect  to  feel  proud  of  you  hereafter.  We  look  for 
ward  to  the  day,  and  that  day  will  surely  come,  when  rebels  will  be 
-compelled  to  lay  down  their  arms,  and  an  honorable  peace  shall  have 
been  conquered,  and  then,  let  us  hope,  covered  with  laurels  won  nobly 
striving  for  a  noble  cause,  you  will  return  to  your  homes,  your  fami 
lies  and  your  firesides,  to  receive  the  just  acknowledgements  of  a 
grateful  people,  and  to  enjoy  that  peace,  prosperity,  happiness  and 
good  government,  that  your  valor  shall  have  contributed  so  much  to 
perpetuate.  And  ever  after,  even  when  time  shall  have  furrowed 
vcur  cheeks,  and  covered  your  heads  with  the  silvery  hairs  of  age, 
as  you  totter  along  the  rude  declivity  of  a  useful  life,  a  population  of 
tltirty,  yes,  perhaps  an  hundred  millions  of  (let  us  hope)  freemen 
•an.Il  hail  you  as  veterans  of  1862. 

It  will  be  an  insignia  of  honor,  more  enviable  than  titles  of  nobility, 
5o  have  it  said  of  you,  that  you  were  of  the  million  of  nature's  noble 
men,  who,  without  conscription,  of  your  own  free  will  and  accord, 
*fcood  forth,  to  do  or  to  die,  for  the  perpetuation  of  the  Union.  In 
«*3uelusion,  defenders  of  your  country,  benefactors  of  the  human 
grace,  with  feelings  of  mingled  joy  and  sadness— joy  that  so  many  are 


36  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

willing  and  ready  to  respond  to  the  country's  need,  and  sadness  that 
such  a  necessity  exists — conscious  of  the  rectitude  of  your  cause, 
invoking  the  benediction  of  Heaven  upon  you,  we  confide  you  to  the 
care  of  Him  "  who  doeth  all  things  well." 

SECOND  OXFORD  COMPANY,  "  H." 

Such  was  the  enthusiasm  manifested,  and  so  thorough 
ly  had  Captain  Curtis  and  his  friends  aroused  the  people, 
that  recruiting  for  the  Regiment  continued  without 
abatement.  Under  the  direction  of  Dyer  D.  Bullock,  of 
Bainbridge,  and  Edwin  M.  Osborn,  of  Oxford,  about 
seventy  men  were  recruited  for  the  Second  Oxford  Com 
pany,  better  known,  perhaps,  as  the  Oxford,  Bainbridge 
and  De  Ruyter  Company. 

Meetings  were  held  in  the  town  of  Bainbridge,  and 
other  places,  and  the  people  of  the  southern  tier  of  towns 
kept  in  motion.  Among  the  speakers,  were  Hon.  Henry 
A.  Clarke,  Chairman  of  the  District  Committee,  and  S. 
Bundy,  Esq.  Captain  Bullock,  and  Lieutenant  Osborn, 
fearing  they  would  not  be  able  to  obtain  a  place  in  the 
Regiment,  so  briskly  was  volunteering  going  forward 
throughout  the  District,  on  the  14th  of  August  the  Com 
pany  was  filled  at  once,  and  the  organization  completed, 
by  consolidating  with  Lieutenant  R.  P.  York,  of  De 
Ruyter,  who  had  recruited  upwards  of  thirty  men  for 
Company  D. 

This  Company,  aside  from  those  recruited  in  Oxford 
and  Bainbridge,  which  towns  furnished  a  larger  part 
f  from  Chenango  County,  contained  men  from  Guilford,  Mc- 
Donough,  Smithville,  Norwich,  Preston,  German,  Linck- 
laen  and  Pharsalia.  Lieutenant  York  brought  into  it, 
thirty-four  men,  enlisted  in  De  Ruyter  and  vicinity. 
Company  H,  in  fact,  contained  men  from  four  or  five 
counties,  and  as  many  as  fifteen  towns.  Their  birth- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  37. 

places  were  even  more  numerous  and  diversified.  The> 
Empire  State  claims  as  the  places  of  their  nativity,  no  less 
than  eighteen  counties,*  and  upwards  of  forty  towns.. 
Two  were  born  in  England,  two  in  Ireland,  one  in 
Germany  and  one  in  Philadelphia. 

Although  representing  foreign  countries,  and  contain 
ing  men  from  localities  more  widely  separated  than  any 
other  Company,  subsequent  events  proved  that  neither 
nationality  nor  accident  of  birth  has  to  do  with  the 
elements  of  character  of  the  true  soldier.  In  the  field, 
and  in  the  fight,  in  every  emergency,  and  in  every  duty, 
Company  H  was  a  unit. 

OTSELIC  COMPANY,  "I." 

On  the  4th  day  of  August,  J.  Floyd  Thompson,  of 
Otselic,  received  authorization  papers  to  recruit  a  Com 
pany  for  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment. 
He  immediately  opened  a  recruiting  office  in  South  Ot 
selic,  and,  aided  by  Hiram  S.  Wheeler,  Nelson  W. 
Schermerhorn,  Dennis  Thompson,  and  others  who  early 
volunteered,  and  by  leading  citizens,  commenced  to 
prosecute  his  wrork.  At  first,  recruiting  was  dull,  but 
soon  the  sturdy  men  of  Otselic  and  adjacent  country, 
cheerfully  came  forward  and  enrolled  their  names,  willing 
to  share  the  perils  and  hardships  of  a  soldier's  life.  On 
the  llth  of  the  month,  an  enthusiastic  meeting  was  held 
at  South  Otselic,  over  which  Hon.  David  B.  Parce  pre 
sided.  Spirited  addresses  were  made  by  B.  Gage  Berry 
of  Norwich,  Rev.  F.  Fletcher  of  Hamilton,  and  other 
gentlemen.  That  day,  fifty-four  recruits  were  added, 
nearly  fifty  of  whom  passed  the  Surgeon's  examination. 

*  Chenango,  Madison,  Cortland,  Otsego,  Wayne,  Albany,  Saratoga,  Delaware, 
Broorae,  Tompkins,  Tioga,  Onondaga,  Columbia,  Schoharie,  Steuben,  Greene,, 
Franklin  and  Jefferson. 


38  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Other  meetings  were  held  in  Lincklaen  and  Pitcher,  and 
on  the  13th,  there  was  a  large  gathering  at  East  Otselic. 
At  this  date  the  Company  was  filled,  the  whole  being- 
raised  in  nine  days. 

On  the  14th,  the  recruits,  their  friends,  and  the  citi 
zens  en  masse  for  miles  around,  assembled  at  South  Otselic 
to  participate  in  an  important  and  solemn  event,  the  like 
of  which,  in  a  single  community,  occurs  but  once  in  a 
life-time.  The  people  met  to  cheer  and  encourage  the 
volunteers,  about  to  depart,  and  speak  the  unwelcome 
words,  good  bye. 

Never  was  there  such  an  assemblage  in  Otselic  before. 
It  is  estimated  that  between  three  and  four  thousand  per 
sons  were  present.  Parting  addresses  were  made  by  Hon. 
D.  B.  Parce,  of  Otselic,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Selah,  of  Pitcher. 
Before  leaving,  Mr.  Parce,  on  his  own  account,  presented 
each  recruit  from  Otselic  a  dollar  in  silver,  as  a  testimo 
nial  of  his  personal  regard.  An  ample  number  of  teams 
being  provided,  the  men  left  in  wagons  for  Xorwich,  many 
to  return  no  more.  The  same  day  they  were  mustered 
by  Adjutant  Per  Lee. 

On  the  27th  of  August,  a  beautiful  silk  flag*  was 
presented  to  the  Company,  in  front  of  the  Court  House,  by 
the  ladies  of  Otselic.  The  presentation  was  made  by 
Hon.  I).  B.  Parce  in  an  affecting  speech,  the  large  assem 
blage  who  had  come  together  to  witness  the  ceremony, 
as  well  as  the  members  of  the  Company,  being  deeply 
impressed.  Hon.  H.  G.  Prindle,  in  behalf  of  the  Compa 
ny,  responded  in  an  appropriate  address. 


*  This  flag  was  stored  with  camp  and  garrison  equipage  and  officers'  baggage, 
at  Brashear  city,  and  captured  with  the  place  by  the  enemy,  June  23d,  1863. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  39 

CAZENOVIA  COMPANY,  "  K." 

The  first  movement  that  contributed  towards  the  rais 
ing  of  the  Cazenovia  Company,  was  the  publication  of  a 
call,  signed  by  the  leading  men  of  the  place,  for  a  war 
meeting  to  be  held  on  the  night  of  the  26th  of  July,  in 
the  Free  Church,  for  the  purpose  of  providing  a  suitable 
bounty,  and  fill  the  quota  of  men  from  that  town.  The 
meeting  was  held  at  the  appointed  time,  and  the 
church  was  filled  with  people  of  all  classes  and  interests, 
while  the  ladies  were  equally  engaged  in  assisting  to 
further  the  good  cause. 

The  meeting  was  called  to  order  by  Rev.  E.  G.  Andrews, 
who  briefly  stated  its  object,  when  Henry  TenEyckEsq., 
was  appointed  President ;  Oliver  Jewell,  J.  C.  Comstock, 
Oliver  Whipple,  Albert  Card,  Orville  Daniels,  Alanson 
Annas,  W.  A.  Crandall,  Andrew  Dardis,  Leroy  Atwell 
and  E.    D.  Loomis,  Vice  Presidents.     Seneca  Lake  and 
A.  S.  Burdick  were  chosen  Secretaries.     Rev.  E.   G.   An 
drews,  T.  P.  Bishop  and  B.  R.  Wendell  were  appointed  a 
committee  on  resolutions,  and  B.  F.  Jervis,  S.  L.  Loomis, 
C.  H.  Beckwith,  J.  C.  Tillotson,  R,  W.  Richmond,  W.  M. 
Burr,  Jr.,  G.  L.  Rouse,   Marcus  L.  Underwood   and   L. 
Raynor,    a   committee   to  collect   subscriptions   for   the 
bounty   fund.     Patriotic  addresses   were  made  by  Hon. 
Thomas  G.  Alvord,  and   L.  W.    Hall,  Esq.,  of  Syracuse. 
Among  others,  a  resolution  was  adopted  to  raise  eighty 
recruits   in  the   town,   and  if  possible   a   full  Company. 
Sufficient  funds  were  subscribed  to  furnish  a  bounty  of 
twenty-five   dollars    to   each  recruit.     The   opinion  was 
freely  expressed  that   this  sum   could  be  raised  to  fifty 
dollars  per  man. 

"  Before  the  close  of  the  meeting  an  opportunity  was 
given  for  volunteers  to  come  forward,  when  eleven  names 


40  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

were  enrolled,  each  receiving  three  rousing  cheers  from 
the  audience."  This  roll  of  eleven  names  was  the  nucleus 
upon  which  Company  K  was  formed.  The  first  that 
publicly  signed  their  names  that  evening,  were  Seneca 
Lake  and  Daniel  C.  Knowlton.  On  the  following  day 
Mr.  Lake  opened  a  recruiting  office,  and  sent  to  Albany 
for  authorization  papers. 

On  Friday  evening,  August  1st,  a  meeting  was  held  in 
Woodstock,  of  which  Colonel  Ralph  Bell  was  Chairman. 
Prof.  E.  G.  Andrews,  gave  an  eloquent  and  patriotic  ad 
dress.  Several  hundred  dollars  were  added  to  the  bounty 
fund. 

The  work  went  slowly  on,  until,  on  the  llth  day  of 
August,  so  large  a  number  enlisted,  that  the  roll  had 
more  names  than  was  necessary  to  organize  a  Company ; 
still  there  was  room  for  more,  and  several  afterwards  en 
listed  in  Norwich,  which  made  the  maximum  number.  It 
was  a  question  for  some  time,  what  Regiment  they  could, 
or  would  prefer  to  join.  It  was  represented  to  Captain 
Lake,  that  the  proper  place  in  the  army  for  the  Cazenovia 
men  was  in  the  Regiment  representing  the  Twenty-third 
Senatorial  District.  Accordingly,  Daniel  C.  Knowlton 
was  sent  to  Norwich,  to  consult  with  the  Senatorial 
Committee,  and  Colonel  Smith,  relative  to  the  ad 
mission  of  the  Cazenovia  Company  into  said  Reg 
iment.  Mr.  Knowlton  returned  and  reported  favorably, 
bestowing  high  praise  upon  Colonel  Smith  and  his  men, 
and  saying  that  he  was  informed  that  the  Regiment 
lacked  one  Company  for  completion,  and  that  the  Colonel 
would  be  pleased  to  have  the  Cazenovia  men  fill  this 
vacancy.  He  was  told  too,  that  it  was  necessary  to  come 
to  Norwich  immediately,  as  other  Companies  were  anx 
ious  to  gain  the  place,  and  the  Company  that  came  first 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  41 

should  have  the  prior  claim.  Captain  Lake  hurried  to  get 
his  men  together  from  shops  and  fields,  and  on  the  morning 
of  the  14th  of  August,  they  left  Cazenovia  in  wagons 
for  Norwich.  The  Cazenovia  Republican  of  August 
20th,  contains  the  following  account  of  their  leaving : 

"  Last  Thursday  morning,  the  Company  formed  at  this  place  under 
Captain  Lake,  took  its  departure  for  Norwich,  the  Regimental  rendez 
vous  for  this  Senatorial  District.  The  occasion  was  one  of  great  in 
terest  to  our  citizens  generally,  and  more  especially  to  those  whose 
husbands,  sons,  or  brothers  were  on  the  list  of  volunteers.  At 
about  eight  o'clock,  the  Company  was  formed  into  line,  when  they 
were  addressed  by  Rev.  E.  G.  Andrews,  who  exhorted  them  to  faith 
fulness  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties  as  soldiers,  and  commended 
them  to  the  kind  care  and  guidance  of  the  Great  Ruler  of  Nations, 
through  whose  merciful  goodness  they  might  derive  strength  to  en 
dure  the  toils  and  privations  of  field  and  camp,  work  out  the  final 
deliverance  of  our  land  from  the  hands  of  its  enemies,  and  return  in 
due  time  to  their  friends  at  home.  After  prayer  by  Rev.  Wm.  Reddy, 
an  opportunity  was  given  for  the  congratulation  and  leave-taking  of 
friends.  This  over,  cheers  were  given  for  Captain  Lake  and  the  Com 
pany,  and  at  five  minutes  before  nine  the  procession  moved  off,  while 
guns  were  fired  and  bells  rung  in  honor  of  the  occasion. 

The  Company  arrived  at  Norwich  at  an  early  hour  in  the  evening, 
and  on  Friday  were  mustered  into  the  United  States  service. 

Cazenovia  may  well  be  proud  of  the  men  who  have  thus  nobly  vol 
unteered  to  represent  her  in  the  National  army,  and  we  predict  for 
the  entire  Company  a  career  of  usefulness  in  the  cause  to  which  they 
have  devoted  their  lives  and  their  honor." 

The  future  history  of  this  Company  was  identified 
with  that  of  the  Regiment. 


42  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Come,  let  us  make  a  muster  speedily. 

KING  HKNET  VI. 

After  the  several  Companies  were  filled  and  had  assem 
bled  at  the  rendezvous,  "Camp  Doty"  assumed  quite  a 
military  air  and  presented  a  lively  appearance. 

Common  or  "  A  "  tents  being  furnished  only  in  insuffi 
cient  numbers,  in  order  to  accommodate  all,  two  large 
marquees  were  provided,  and  vacant  buildings  fitted  up 
for  the  use  of  the  men.     The  Court  House,  the  hotels  and 
private  dwellings,  were  appropriated  as  places  for  shelter 
and  sleep.     All  who  could,  however,  preferred  to  occupy 
the  tents  because  of  the  novelty  of  sleeping  under  can 
vas.      A  large  eating  barrack  was  erected  on  the  canip 
ground,  in  which  the  men  partook  of  their  rations,  five 
Companies,  or  half  of  the  Regiment  at  a  time.     The  fare 
provided  by  the  contractor,  was  substantially  as  follows  * 
Breakfast — Hash,  cold  meat,  bread  and  coffee. 
Dinner — Fresh  beef,  potatoes,  bread. 
Supper — Bread,  butter,  tea  and  cookies. 
Beans,   pickles,   cheese,  and  some  other  articles,  were 
occasionally  furnished. 

The  boys  fancied  they  were  enjoying  a  huge  pic  nie^. 
and  seemed  wonderfully  delighted,  amusing  themselves  m 
making  each  others  acquaintance,  and  in  various  sports. 
Drilling  for  the  duties  of  the  field  was  practiced  but  to 
a  limited  extent.  Now  and  then  a  squad  or  a  Company 
of  men  was  exercised  in  the  elementary  principles  of  the 
"  school  of  the  soldier." 


AND  FOURTEENTH  HSGIMENT.  43 

So  large  a  camp,  in  the  heart  of  a  rural  district,  was  a 
great  curiosity,  and  was  thronged  with  visitors  from  far 
and  near. 

Colonel  Smith  declined  to  recommend  for  commissions 
any  not  preferred  by  the  men ;  consequently  meetings  were 
held  from  time  to  time  by  the  different  Companies,  for  the 
purpose  of  electing  Company  officers.  .Those,  however, 
who  recruited  the  Companies,  or  in  whose  name  the  men 
were  enlisted,  were  usually,  if  not  invariably,  selected  for 
Captains.  In  the  course  of  a  few  days,  during  which 
time  there  was  a  free  interchange  of  opinion,  the  claims 
of  favorite  candidates  for  the  various  offices  being  dis 
cussed,  application  was  made  for  commissions  for  the 
field,  staff,  and  line  officers,  constituting  the  original  roster 
of  the  Regiment,  as  follows : 

FIELD    OFFICERS. 

Colonel— ELISIIA  B.  SMITH.  Lieut.  CoZoneZ— SAMUEL  R.  PER  LEE. 

Major— HENRY  B.  MORSE. 

STAFF    OFFICERS. 

Adjutant— JAMES  F.  FITTS.  .    ,.  ~  /H.  G.  BEARDSLEY, 

qr.  Master-J.  FLOYD  THOMPSON.      Ass  l  Sur(J'on*  \HARRIS  H.  BEECHER 
S»wtf«m-LEVI  P.  WAGNER.  C7iapta«i-HENRY  CALLAHAN. 

LINE    OFFICERS 

COMPANY  A.  COMPANY   E. 

Captain— Oscar  H.  Curtis.  Captain— Ransom  Macdonald. 

1st  Lieut.— Samuel  S.  Stafford.  1st  Lieut.— Nicholas  A.  Dederer. 

2d  Lieut,— James  E.  Gilbert.  2d  Lieut.—  George  G.  Donnelly. 

COMPANY  B.  COMPANY   F. 

CaptaMi— Jacob  S.  Bockee.  Captain— Charles  H.  ColweD. 

1st  Lieut.— Lauren  M.  Nichols.  1st  Lieut.— Adrian  Foote. 

2f7  Lieut.— Edwin  O.  Gibson.  -Id  Lieut.—  John  F.  Buell. 

COMPANY  C.  COMPANY  O. 

Captain Platt  Titus.  Captain— Charles  E.  Tucker. 

1st  Lieut.— Shubael  A.  Brooks.  1st  Lieut.— Charles  W.  Underbill. 

2d  Lien*.— William  H.  Long  well.  -2d  Lieut.—  Homer  W.  Searle». 

COMPANY  ».  COMPANY   H. 

Captain— Willie  P.  Rexford.  Captain— Dyer  D.  Bullock. 

1st  Lieut.— James  E.  Wedge.  1st  Z/tm#.— Robert  P.  York. 

M  JAmt,  -Smith  H.  Case.  '>d  Lifiit.—  Edward  M.  Osboni 


44  JBKOOIJT*  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDUKO 

COMPANY   1.  1IOMVA.NY   K. 

Captain— Hiram  S.  Wheeler.  Captain— Seneca  Lake. 

1st  Lieut.— Nelson  W.  Schermerhorn.       1st  Lieut.— Daniel  C.  Knowlton. 

«rf  Lieut.—®.  Porter  Pellet.  2d  Lieut.—  Erastus  S.  Carpenter. 

NON-COMMISSIONED    STAFF. 

Sergeant  Major— Elijah  St.  John.  Commissary  Sergeant-George  E.  Hawlev. 

Qr.  Master's  8ergecmt—Ang.  P.  Clark.      Hospital  Steward— Kbenezer  McClintock. 

FIKST    SERGEANTS. 

• 

Company  A — Austin  8.£onth worth.         Company  F — William  D.  Thurber. 
Company  B— George  Ballon.  Company  G— Charles  F.  Sunny. 

Company  C — Norman  Lewis.  Company  II — Orlando  J.  Ayleswovth. 

Company  D— James  8.  Stewart  Company  1— Dennis  Thompson. 

Company  E — John  G.  Reynolds.  Company  K — Robert  N.  Eddy. 

A  few  cases  of  sickness  occurring  in  the  Regiment,  :\ 
hospital  was  opened  in  Weeden's  building,  South  Main 
street,  which  was  kindly  cared  for  and  supplied  with 
comforts  and  delicacies  by  the  ladies  of  the  Volunteer 
Aid  Association,  of  Norwich. 

On  Monday  afternoon,  the  25th  of  August,  the  ladies  of 
this  Association,  presented  a  copy  of  the  New  Testament 
to  each  of  the  members  of  the  Companies  of  Captains 
Titus  and  Bockee.  The.  presentation  exercises  took  place 
in  front  of  the  Court  House,  and  were  of  exceeding  in 
terest.  The  Rev.  Mr.  Scoville,  of  the  Congregational 
Church,  made  the  opening  prayer;  the  Rev.  Mr.  Searls, 
of  the  Methodist  Church,  made  a  graceful  and  patriotic 
presentation  speech  in  behalf  of  the  ladies.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Benedict,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  closed  the  exercises. 

On  Wednesday,  the  27th,  Colonel  Bliss,  State  Paymas 
ter,  visited  camp  and  paid  to  the  soldiers  the  State  boun 
ty  of  fifty  dollars  each.  He  wTas  accompanied  by 
Theodore  Roosvelt  and  Theodore  B.  Bronson,  U.  S. 
Allotment  Commissioners,  whose  business  it  was  to  induce 
soldiers  to  set  apart  a  portion  of  their  pay  for  the  benefit 
of  their  families.  The  ten  Companies  allotted  the  follow 
ing  amounts  monthly  : 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  45 

^Company  A,  Captain  Curtis,  by  94  men $1,022 

'Company  B,  Captain  Bockco,  by  97  men 945 

Company  C, -Captain  Titus,  by  95  men 917 

Company  D,  Captain  Morse,  by  88  men 865 

Company  E,  Captain  Macdonald,  by  87  men 954 

Company  F,  Captain  Col  well,  by  80  men , 780 

Company  G,  Captain  Tucker,  by  76  men 718 

Company  H,  Captain  Bullock,  by  84  men 859 

Company  I,  Captain  Thompson,  by  89  men 890 

Company  K,  Captain  Lake,  by  96  men 981 

$8,931 

The  Commissioners  stated  that  this  was  the  largest 
amount  allotted  by  any  Regiment  in  the  United  States. 
Nearly  every  man  who  signed  at  all,  allotted  ten  dollars, 
and  some  gave  twelve,  per  month. 

On  Sunday  morning,  the  31st  of  August,  the  volun 
teers  to  the  number  of  about  six  hundred,  under  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Per  Lee,  assembled  at  the  Baptist  Church, 
and  listened  to  a  sermon  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Benedict,  the 
pastor.  The  discourse  was  an  earnest  appeal  to  every 
man,  urging  the  necessity  of  being  strong  in  the  work 
for  which  they  had  enlisted,  as  well  as  combating  man 
fully  with  every  kind  of  error  which  is  incident  to  camp 
life.  The  remarks  were  listened  to  with  profound 
attention,  and  the  speaker's  words  seemed  to  impress 
every  heart. 

About  to  leave  the  quiet  scenes  of  home,  the  business 
of  a  life-time,  the  delights  of  social  intercourse,  the 
sacred  communionship  of  the  family  circle  and  of  the 
Church,  for  the  untried  realities  of  a  sterner  life,  that 
holy  Sabbath  morning,  dawning  in  the  mellow  sun-light 
of  opening  autumn,  was  the  last  time  many  of  that 
noble  band  ever  entered  the  sanctuary  of  God. 

On  the   3d  of  September,  the   Regiment  was  moved 


46  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


its  encampment  to  the  public  square,  and  mustered 
into'  the  U.  S.  service  by  David  Ireland,  Captain  of  the 
Fifteenth  Infantry,  and  Commissary  of  Musters,  assisted 
by  Captain  Clay,  of  Kentucky.* 

As  the  Companies,  one  after  another,  were  drawn  up  in 
line,  each  looked  like  a  battalion  or  regiment  of  itself. 
The  green,  from  the  piano  buildings  of  Messrs.  Hayes  & 
Rider,  to  near  the  steps  of  the  Court  House,  was  covered 
with  the  forms  of  sturdy  men.  As  fast  as  mustered,  the 
different  Companies  filed  through  the  spacious  hall  of  the 
Court  House,  and  received,  man  by  man,  from  the  hands 
of  Majors  Lee  and  Reese,  his  welcome  greenbacks. 

Every  recruit  received  one  month's  advance  pay,  twen 
ty-five  dollars  Government  bounty,  fifty  dollars  State, 
and  fifty  dollars  County  bounty,  making  with  the 
premium  of  two  dollars  for  enlistment,  an  aggregate  of 
One  Hundred  and  Forty  dollars.  The  sum  total  paid 
the  Regiment,  exclusive  of  the  County  bounty,  which 
was  received  by  most  of  the  officers  of  the  line,  was 
about  One  Hundred  and  Thirty-seven  Thousand  Five 
Hundred  dollars,  f,. 

*  The  previous  muster  of  the  Regiment  by  Adjiatant  Per  Lee,  proved  to  be  valid 
only  so  far  as  it  related  to  the  State  service. 

t  The  subjoined  abstract  shows  the  pay  of  men  and  officers  when  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth  entered  the  service,  with  the  increase.  Officers'  pay  is  made 
np  in  part  of  rations  for  themselves  and  servants.  Forage  in  addition  is  furnished 
for  horses,  for  which,  in  time  of  war,  there  is  no  commutation.  Captains  or  com 
manding  officers  of  Companies  receive  ten  dollars  additional  pay  for  responsibility 
of  amis.  Adjutants  and  Quartermasters  receive  ten  dollars  in  addition  to  First 
Lieutenant's  pay.  The  entire  sum  each  officer  received  per  month  was  as  follows  t 


Colonel $194  00 

Lieutenant  Colonel 170  00 

Major 151  00 


Second  Lieutenant $103  50 

Surgeon 163  50 


Assistant  Surgeon 112  83 

Captain 118  50  I  Chaplain 118  00 

First  Lieutenant 108  50  | 

Quartermaster's  Sergeant,  Commissary  Sergeant,  and  Sergeant  Major,  each  $21 ; 
Hospital  Steward,  $30  -,  First  Sergeants,  $20 :  Sergeants,  $1T  :  Corporals  and  Pri- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  47 

After  this  payment,  with  well  lined  pockets,  all  who 
desired  were  permitted  a  short  visit  to  their  homes.  It 
should  be  recorded,  as  a  remarkable  fact,  for  it  speaks 
volumes  as  to  the  character  of  the  men,  that  at  the  ap 
pointed  day,  almost  at  the  very  hour,  they  assembled 
again  at  the  rendezvous.  Scattered  forty  or  fifty  miles  in 
every  direction,  it  was  found  that  not  a  single  man  had 
deserted.  The  State  and  the  Nation  are  challenged  for 
another  such  an  instance.  Is  not  this  in  pleasing  contrast 
to  the  conduct  of  many  of  those  who  subsequently  were 
called  upon  to  fill  the  quotas  of  Chenango  and  Madison  ? 

Saturday,  the  6th  of  September,  was  a  day  of  intense 
interest  and  of  unusual  solemnity.  The  transactions  of 
weeks  culminated  in  the  events  of  this  day.  But  few 
occasions,  in  the  history  of  any  people,  occur  of  more 
thrilling  interest,  or  touch  more  keenly  the  sensibilities  of 
the  heart. 

About  12,  meridian,  the  Regiment  was  drawn  up  by 
Companies,  in  front  of  the  Court  House,  to  witness  the 
presentation  of  numerous  swords,  sashes,  belts  and 
pistols,  that  were  made  to  various  officers  by  their 
friends.  The  public  square  was  again  covered  with  an 
immense  throng,  and  the  streets  were  crowded  with 
anxious  people.  There  has  been  witnessed  in  Norwich, 
except  on  one  or  two  occasions,  no  other  assemblage  like  it. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Searls,  in  behalf  of  many  citizens,  pre 
sented  Lieutenant  Colonel  Per  Lee  with  a  beautiful 
horse-equipage,  sword,  sash  and  belt,  with  appropriate 
remarks.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Per  Lee,  with  much  feeling, 
replied  in  a  proper  and  becoming  manner.  Colonel  Smith 

vates,  $13  ;  Musicians,  $12.  In  the  spring  of  1364,  the  pay  of  Sergeants  was  in 
creased  to  $16 ;  Corporals  to  $18 ;  Sergeants  to  $20 ;  First  Sergeants  to  $24 ;  Hos 
pital  Steward,  according  to  grade,  from  $32  to  $35.  In  the  spring  of  1865,  the 
money  value  of  officers'  rations  was  increased  from  thirty  to  fifty  cent?  each. 


48  UECORD  OF  THE  ONK  HUNDKED 

• 

was  also  presented  with  a  very  superior  sword,  sash  and 
belt ;  but  the  crowning  feature  of  the  occasion  was  the 
presentation  of  a  splendid  war-horse,  fully  equipped,  to 
the  Commanding  officer.  The  horse — a  beautiful  chest 
nut — was  led  through  the  crowd  to  the  steps  of  the 
Court  House,  and  presented  in  behalf  of  many  citizens  of 
Chenango,  by  Isaac  S.  Newton,  Esq.,  in  the  following 
words : 

COLONEL  E.  B.  SMITH  :  A  number  of  your  fellow  citizens  have 
charged  me  with  the  pleasant  duty  of  presenting-  to  you  this  fine  ani 
mal.  In  their  name  I  ask  you  to  accept  him.  It  is,  sir,  no  sporting 
animal,  nor  a  fancy  horse  fitted  only  for  pleasure  excursions.  The 
events  of  the  day  and  this  occasion  forbid  such  a  gift.  It  is  a  war- 
horse,  destined,  we  trust,  to  snuff  the  battle,  with  head  erect  and 
nostrils  distended,  but  fearless,  to  hear  martial  music,  the  clangor  of 
arms,  the  roar  of  artillery  ;  yes,  more,  to  hear  his  rider's  voice  in  the 
thickest  fight,  as  he  shall  shout  to  his  band  from  Chenango  and  Madi 
son  the  welcome  order  to  charge,  and  then  lead  them  in  the  onset. 

This  horse  is  to  you,  sir,  a  two-fold  pledge — a  pledge  of  our  friend 
ship  in  by-gone  days,  and  a  pledge  of  our  earnest  wish  that  you  excel 
in  your  untried  character  as  a  soldier.  To  your  care  we  commit  a 
thousand  brothers,  and  close  following  them  are  the  hopes  and  prayers 
of  ten  thousand  watching  £mdred,  left  on  these  hills  and  in  these 
valleys ;  and  remember,  sir,  when  the  battle  rages,  that  thousands  of 
eyes  will  drop  tears  of  joy  at  their  success  and  yours — of  sorrow  at 
the  fall  of  any,  the  least  of  these. 

Lead  them  to  victory.  Ride  this  horse  manfully  before  them,  giv 
ing  to  each,  as  you  will,  an  example  of  sobriety,  obedience,  courage, 
heroism,  patriotism. 

We  ask  only  that  they  have  a  history  under  your  leadership,  of 
which  Chenango  and  Madison  shall  never  be  ashamed.  Give  them  a 
name  written  high  on  the  annals  of  time.  We  wish  this — we  expect  it. 

But  it  is  no  time  sir,  for  words.  DEEDS  mark  the  man.  Liberty  is 
stabbed  in  the  land  of  her  birth.  Bloody  treason  lurks  no  longer,  but 
*talks  abroad  with  power.  Our  fathers'  land  is  red  with  the  blood  of 
her  sons.  Our  fathers'  legacy — a  free  government — obedience  to  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH   RKGIMKlSi'J.  40 

expressed  will  of  the  people,  is  that  for  which  we  fight.     It  is   worth 
a  struggle.     It  is  worth  blood,  and  it  will  survive. 

Take  this  gift,  then,  and  go.  Go  ;  remembering  the  teachings  oi  your 
vouth,  that  not  in  the  horse  nor  in  the  rider  is  safety,  only  as  you 
trust  in  the  God  of  battles ;  thus  trusting,  lead  our  brave  men  to 
brave  deeds.  Let  them  work — not  cust — and  when  our  flag  shall 
float  again  in  peace  over  these  States,  come  back  here,  with  his  trap 
pings  dusty  and  worn,  and  your  honors  upon  you ;  come  back  here 
with  these  our  brothers — to  the  greeting. 

Colonel  Smith,  much  overcome  with  feeling,  in  reply 
said: 

[  accept  this  gift  from  the  donors.  Carry  to  them,  sir,  my  thanks. 
I  will  strive  in  no  manner  to  dishonor  their  gift.  I  go  forth  and  take 
these  brave  men,  gathered  from  the  homes  of  Chenango  and  Madison, 
to  untried  scenes.  I  go  not  in  my  own  strength.  I  remember  in  this 
hour  of  trial  the  teachings  of  my  childhood  here.  1  do  not  forget  the 
lessons  nor  the  prayers  of  yonder  mother — the  mother  I  leave  for  the 
bloody  field  of  strife. 

Trusting  in  the  God  of  battles,  who  will  never  see  this  Government 
perish,  I  go  forth.  I,  in  common  with  you  all,  have  another  mother — 
this  free  land  of  liberty.  She  has  been  smitten  by  her  own  sons. 
They  say  she  shall  perish,  but  we  go  to  add  our  strength,  little  though 
it  be,  to  stay  the  arm  that  treason  has  lifted. 

\Vti  may  not,  probably  shall  not  all  come  back,  but  I  feel  to-day 
that  he  that  falleth  by  the  way  will  have  fallen  in  a  noble  cause.  1 
believe,  sir,  that  we  go  with  God's  blessing  upon  us. 

When  asked  by  a  Committee  of  citizens  to  take  this  command,  J 
then,  if  never  before,  offered  a  prayer  to  God,  that  I  might  be  guided 
by  His  wisdom.  Trusting  in  His  guidance  I  accepted.  In  the  same 
faith  I  go. 

I  bespeak  for  myself,  and  for  all  my  command,  the  hearty  support, 
the  earnest  sympathy  of  the  many,  many  friends  we  leave  in  these 
homes.  Again  let  me  thank  the  kind  donors  for  this  noble  animal. 

Testaments  were  then  presented  to  every  member  of 
the  Regiment,  who  had  not  previously  been  supplied  with 
one,  by  the  Rev.  William  Searls,  pastor  of  the  First  M. 


50  RECOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

E.,  Church,  of  Norwich,  in  behalf  of  the  Ladies'  Aid  As 
sociation  in  that  place,  after  which  the  Reverend  gentle 
man  delivered  the  following 

FAEEAVELL  ADDRESS. 

SOLDIERS  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT  :  The 
citizens  of  this  town  and  surrounding  community,  could  not  suffer 
you  to  leave  this  place,  where  you  have  been  organized  for  the  field, 
without  invoking  the  blessings  of  the  God  of  battles  to  rest  upon  you, 
AS  you  go  forth  to  dangers,  and  perhaps,  to  death. 

These  thousands  who  stand  around,  with  tearful  eyes,  tell  you  in 
language  too  plain  to  be  misunderstood,  how  deeply  they  feel  the  great 
sacrifices  you  have  made,  and  are  about  to  make,  for  the  weal  of  your 
coimtry.  Their  hearts  entwine  around  you,  and  they  whisper  earnest 
prayers  to  heaven  for  your  success  and  protection. 

You  are  paying  no  small  price  for  the  life  of  your  country.  But 
you  are  patriots — you  love  your  fatherland.  Many  have  gone,  in 
response  to  the  call  of  our  President,  who  will  never  return  ;  and  it. 
would  not  be  in  keeping  with  the  facts  already  submitted  for  us  to  ex 
pect  you  all  to  return.  We  shall  never  meet  as  we  are  here  convened. 
One  will  fall  here,  and  others  there — some  on  the  field  of  battle,  some 
at  their  quiet  homes ;  but  he  who  falls  for  his  country  dies  well — he 
dies  that  Liberty  may  live.  As  McDonald  said  to  his  comrades,  as  ho 
fell  in  battle  :  "  I  die,  but  Liberty  lives  !"  And  here  I  must  say  that 
I  religiously  believe  that  the  work  you  are  about  to  perform  is  a  work 
on  which  every  Christian  can  safely  ask  the  blessing  of  God.  Why 
not  ?  The  great  idea  your  country  represents  is  a  religious  one,  and 
you, are  about  to  assist  in  solving  the  grandest  problem  ever  given  to 
Any  nation  or  people  to  demonstrate ;  and  you  will  give  an  answer  that 
can  be  understood  by  the  nations  of  the  earth,  the  world  around. 

If  the  glory  of  the  foundation  of  our  Government  was  the  estab 
lishment  of  a  principle,  the  glory  of  our  mission  is  to  develop  that 
principle  ;  for  all  the  social  splendor,  and  the  swelling  civil  power  of 
the  nation,  are  only  signs  of  its  failure,  if  any  great  principle  to  which 
the  land  was  baptized  is  lost  sight  of. 

Form,  in  your  minds,  as  you  go  forth,  a  vivid  conception  of  what 
your  country  would  be,  if  the  designs  of  God  in  its  formation  were 
Accomplished. 


0 

AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  5  I 

The  grand  idea  of  the  Declaration  of  Independence  was  the  right  of 
man  to  himself.  It  was  this  that  dignified  the  Revolution  from  the 
first,  and  raised  it  above  a  mere  rebellion.  It  was  this  that  invested 
the  roar  of  musketry  on  Bunker  Hill  with  a  moral  grandeur  and  ideal 
music. 

It  was  a  remark  of  the  illustrious  Washington,  that  the  "  value  of 
Liberty,  was  enhanced  by  the  difficulties  we  encounter  in  attaining  it. 
and  the  worth  of  character  appreciated  by  the  trial  of  adversity." 

The  struggle  of  to-day  involves  the  fate  of  Liberty.  The  effort-  is 
to  break  up  this  glorious  Union,  the  work  of  Washington,  Franklin 
and  Jefferson. 

We  are  asked  to  let  the  Palmetto,  the  Pelican  and  the  Rattlesnake 
supersede  the  Stars  and  Stripes.  But  the  memories  of  our  fatherland 
are  too  sacred. 

It  is  said  of  Lord  Bj-ron,  that  when  a  boy  he  prevented  his  comrades 
from  demolishing  his  school  room,  t>y  showing  them  their  fathers' 
names  written  upon  the  walls.  Can  you  fail  to  defend  the  Temple  of 
Freedom,  so  long  as  you  can  read  the  names  of  your  fathers  upon  its 
walls  ?  Never  !  You  go  with  blade  and  bayonet  to  point  the  South 
to  the  names  of  their  fathers  written  upon  the  walls  of  our  Gov 
ernment, 


The  blessings  of  liberty,  and  the  pursuit  of  happiness,  cost  too 
much  to  waste  them  now.  They  cost  more  than  great  poems,  or  the 
splendid  work  of  art.  The  human  race  has  waded  through  dark- 
centuries,  and  groped  down  the  dreary  pathway  of  ages  to  bring  these 
blessings  to  our  door.  Influences  that  began  before  the  fields  of 
Marathon,  that  were  strengthened  by  the  short  career  and  splendid 
literature  of  Greece,  by  the  early  courage  and  virtue  of  Rome,  by  the 
burning  energy  of  Christianity,  by  the  labors  of  the  Swiss  mountain 
eers,  by  the  rugged  zeal  of  Cromwell,  by  the  pen  of  suffering  Milton, 
by  the  sublimer  work  of  our  fathers,  and  their  triumph  in  the  Revo 
lution — all,  all,  have  helped  to  roll  these  blessings  down  the  stream  of 
time,  and  lay  them  as  an  offering  of  love  at  our  feet. 

Traitors  now  ask  }rou  to  give  up  this  legacy,  but  you  go  to  sa}-  to 
them  with  the  mouth  of  the  cannon,  "Never."  You  may  die  for  your 
country,  but  you  will  be  able  to  say  as  you  fall,  as  did  Epaminondas 


52  RECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

at  the  battle  of  Maritinea,  who  with  the  javelin  in  his  noble  breast, 
enquired  the  fate  of  the  battle,  and  fell  exclaiming,  "  I  have  lived  long- 
enough."  We  will  write  above  your  grave,  "  He  died  for  his  country." 
And  yet  you  will  live,  though  you  fall. 

"  Like  some  proud  cliff  that  rears  its  awful  form, 
Swells  from  the  vale  and  midway  cuts  the  storm, 
When  round  your  form  the  clouds  of  death  are  spread, 
Eternal  sunshine  will  settle  on  your  head." 

When  the  call  of  our  President,  for  "  more  men,"  came  flashing  up 
the  wire-veins  that  cross  our  land,  you  at  once  rushed  to  arms.  Solid 
men  of  business  pushed  aside  their  ledgers,  farmers  left  their  plows, 
mechanics  dropped  their  tools,  and  the  student  left  the  halls  of  learning, 
to  take  xip  the  sword,  and  here  you  are,  to  proffer  your  services  to 
your  country.  Your  offer  has  been  accepted,  and  to-day  you  start  for 
the  field  of  strife,  danger,  and  perhaps,  death.  Should  you  fall,  and 
be  left  in  unmarked  graves,  and  your  dear  ones  look  in  vain  for  the 
spot  where  you  shall  rest  from  strife,  then  be  assured  that  God's  angels 
will  watch  over  you.  Clouds  hovering  like  angels'  wings  in  air,  will 
drop  refreshing  tears  upon  thy  tomb.  The  unblushing  stars  shall  look 
on  thy  grave,  and  even  night,  like  a  nun  in  sable  weeds,  shall  watch 
thy  resting  place.  Thy  memory  shall  be  a  sacred  trust ;  the  young- 
shall  emulate  thy  devotion  to  thy  country,  while  the  aged  and  infirm 
will  link  thy  fame  with  the  history  of  the  land  that  gave  thee  birth. 
Genius  will  string  her  best  lyre,  to  sing  of  thee  for  years  to  come ; 
and  art  will  select  the  finest  marble  for  thy  bust  in  the  gallery  of 
coming  time. 

Remember  as  you  go,  that  swords  and  guns  are  not  the  only  equip 
ment  with  which  you  are  armed.  You  go  laden  with  the  blessings, 
prayers  and  tears  of  those  who  love  you.  You  go  not  alone,  though 
you  leave  home,  with  all  its  dear  ones  behind.  A  thousand  eyes  shall 
follow  you,  a  thousand  hearts  go  with  you ;  the  spirits  of  thy  fathers 
shall  guard  you,  while  the  whole  Christian  world  shall  bless  you. 

"  Good  bye !  a  word  so  often  said, 

The  heedless  world  forgets  its  meaning, 

'Tis  only  when  some  form  lies  dead, 
On  which  our  heart  was  leaning, 

We  hear  in  maddening  music  roll 
That  last  good  bye  along  the  soul. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  5$ 

"Good  bye !  'twill  mock  us  from  the  grave, 
>Twill  overleap  that  strange  world's  bound*. 

From  whence  there  flows  no  backward  wave, 
Twill  call  from  out  the  ground 

On  every  side,  around,  above, 
Good  bye,  good  bye,  to  those  we  love.* 

But  let  me  assure  you  that  those  who  stand  around  you  to-day 
to  take  the  parting  hand,  will  make  your  home  interests  their  own. 
\rour  mothers,  your  sisters,  your  wives  and  your  children,  shall  have 
our  care  during-  your  absence.  And  should  you  not  return — should 
you  be  left  in  a  bloody  grave,  and  the  "  foe  and  the  stranger  tread  o'er 
your  head  " — we  will  still  be  faithful  to  our  promise  this  day  made. 

The  men  you  have  chosen  to  lead  you,  are  men  in  whom  you  can 
confide.  Their  hearts  beat  in  sympathy  with  your  greatest  good. 
Go  where  they  lead,  and  do  as  they  say,  and  all  will  be  well.  The 
(iod  of  battles  who  rides  above  the  storm  will  give  you  the  victory, 
and  our  country  shall  live. 

But  I  will  not  detain  you — the  country  calls  you — the  uncircumcis- 
ed  rebels  are  reveling  on  sacred  ground.  They  blaspheme  the  name 
of  God,  and  desecrate  the  old  flag  of  our  fathers.  They  exultingly 
cry  "Ha!  ha!"  in  anticipation  of  the  fall  of  our  country.  Haste 
away,  then,  the  battle  is  raging,  and  may  the  God  of  all  truth  go  with, 
you. 

Officers  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  to  you  we  commit 
these  men.  If  necessary,  you  may  bring  them  back  covered  with 
^•ars  and  wounds,  but  do  not  bring  them  back  disgraced.  Come  back 
as  noble  as  you  leave  us  brave. 

And  now  may  the  blessing  of  God  be  upon  you  all  forever — Fart- 
well. 


-54  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    V. 

A  thousand  hearts  are  great  within  my  bosom  ; 
Advance  our  standards ;  set  upon  our  foes ! 

KING  RICHARD  HI. 

At  length,  after  all  the  delays  and  annoyances  neces 
sarily  attendant  upon  the  organization  of  the  Regiment, 
the  time  came  when  the  men  must  bid  adieu  to  their 
northern  homes,  and  enter  upon  the  more  exciting  and 
-active  duties  of  their  new  profession. 

Upon  the  evening  of  Saturday,  the  6th  of  September, 
u  thousand  stalwart  men,  inspirited  with  noble  purposes 
and  hopes,  marched  down  the  Main  street  of  Norwich, 
while  the  walks  and  cross  streets  were  filled  with  weeping 
relatives  and  sorrowing  friends.  Alas !  how  many  a 
smiling  boy  stepped  from  the  ranks  that  evening,  and 
grasped  the  hands,  and  spoke  a  parting  word  to  father 
and  sister,  and  told  mother,  while  brushing  a  tear  from 
his  eye,  that  he  would  soon  be  home  again,  who  is  now  a 
martyr  to  human  liberty,  and  sleeps  beneath  the  southern 
soil. 

Sad  are  the  parting  scenes ;  hearty  are  the  cheers ; 
joyfully  nutter  handkerchiefs  from  fair  fingers,  proudly 
the  men  march  in  their  new  uniforms ;  until  they  arrive 
at  the  banks  of  the  Canal,  when  each  Company  proceeds 
aboard  its  designated  boat. 

Just  as  the  sun  is  setting  behind  the  high  hill  west  of 
Norwich,  the  long  line  of  boats  commence  to  move. 
Slowly  they  pass  under  the  bridge  of  South  Main  street, 
«covered  with  dark  blue  forms,  while  a  thousand,  blue  caps 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  55 

are  thrown  into  the  air,  and  a  thousand  throats  send  forth 
a  deafening  cheer. 

*•  "  The  matrons  flung  their  gloves, 

Ladies  and  maids  their  scarfs  and  handkerchiefs, 
*        *        #        «        and  the  commons  made 
A  shower  and  thunder,  with  their  caps  and  shouts." 

The  parting  scene  is  over. 

Owing  to  the  want  of  railroad  communication,  and 
other  difficulties  in  the  way  of  transportation  from  Nor 
wich,  it  was  believed  for  some  time  that  the  Regiment 
would  be  compelled  to  march  some  thirty  miles  to  the 
nearest  railroad  depot,  at  Chenango  Forks,  which  at  this 
time  would  have  told  severely  upon  the  future  health, 
discipline  and  efficiency  of  the  Regiment ;  as  young 
soldiers  must  acquire  by  slow  degrees  the  method  of 
packing,  fitting,  and  carrying  their  knapsacks  and  other 
equipments,  so  as  to  derive  therefrom  the  smallest  amount 
of  fatigue.  It  also  takes  time  for  the  men  to  learn  the 
advantages  of  keeping  well  in  their  places  while  march 
ing,  as  Avell  as  the  many  little  arts  whereby  they  can  save 
their  feet  from  blistering,  their  limbs  from,  chafing,  and 
can  retain  their  general  strength  and  health.  Thanks  to 
the  foresight  and  energy  of  Colonel  Smith,  he  had  secured 
for  the  Regiment  canal  transportation  as  far  as  Bin|f- 
hamton, 

Now,  many  of  the  men  are  sleeping  upon  the  clean 
straw  on  the  bottom -of  the  boats,  while  others  are 
arranged  about  the  decks  admiring  the  moonlight  scenery 
of  the  Chenango  Valley. 

Many  are  the  jokes  perpetrated  upon  the  "  raging 
canawl,"  and  songs  are  sung  about  "  a  home  on  the  bound 
ing  deep,"  and  orders  are  given  to  "  cut  away  the  mast," 


00  RECORD  OF  THE  OtfK  HUNDRKD 

until  they  arrive  at  Oxford,  at  midnight,  when  nearly 
every  one  had  subsided  into  slumber. 

At  day  break  of  Sunday  morning,  the  men  were  sud 
denly  aroused  by  the  report  of  cannon,  which  the  good 
people  of  Greene  were  firing  as  a  parting  salute.  A  short 
delay  at  this  village,  long  enough  for  the  "  Greene  boys  "  to 
bid  good-bye  to  their  friends  and  homes,  and  then  onward 
again  to  an  unknown  destination  and  destiny. 

All  the  day  of  Sunday,  September  7th,  the  boats  were 
slowly  winding  around  the  hills,  and  across  the  fertile 
plains  of  Chenango  and  Broome  counties.  Frequent 
crowds  of  inhabitants  upon  the  banks  and  bridges  were 
cheering  on  the  adventurous  soldiers  with  words  of  kind 
ness,  patriotic  songs,  and  many  little  presents.  One 
party  of  young  ladies,  in  particular,  standing  near  a  lock, 
sang  this  air : 

"  So  let  the  rebels  fight  as  they  will. 
Wo  will  have  a  Union  still" — 

with  so  much  taste  and  spirit,  that  it  elicited  from  the 
men  hearty  demonstrations  of  applause. 

As  the  sun  was  throwing  its  last  rays  upon  the  roofs 
a»d  spires  of  Binghamton,  the  Regiment  arrived  at  the 
end  of  canal  navigation.  As  it  was  quite  late  and  dark, 
the  Colonel  wisely  decided  to  keep  his  command  on  the 
boats  during  the  night,  and  in  the  meantime,  he  could 
make  provision  for  the  next  day V journey. 

A  quiet  night's  rest  prepared  the  men  to  fully  appreciate 
the  generous  reception  wrhich  the  patriotic  people  of 
Binghamton  had  in  store  for  the  departing  volunteers. 

The  Binghamton  Republican  contained  the  following 
account  of  the  entertainment : 


AND  FOURTEENTH  UKtilMKMT.  57 

"  Colonel  E.  B.  Smith's  Regiment  arrived  in  Binghaniton  ou  Sunday 
evening  last,  in  canal  boats,  from  Norwich — the  soldiers  remaining  ou 
the  boats.  On  Monday  morning,  by  invitation  of  Colonel  Ireland,  of 
the  137th,  thejT  marched  over  to  the  barracks  for  breakfast.  After 
breakfast,  they  marched  back  to  the  depot,  where  they  deposited  in 
the  cars  awaiting  them,  their  knapsacks,  <fcc.,  and  awaited  the  arrival 
of  Colonel  Ireland's  Regiment,  which  escorted  them  in  front  of  the 
Court  House,  when  an  address  of  welcome  was  made  by  Hon.  D.  S. 
Dickinson,  which  was  responded  to  by  Colonel  Smith.  The  speech 
iind  response  were  eloquent  and  patriotic.  Mr.  Dickinson  welcomed 
his  old  friends  and  fellow-citizens  from  his  native  County  of  Chenango. 
ki  the  name  of  all  classes,  in  the  name  of  patriotism  and  of  their 
country,  and  expressed  the  belief  and  hope,  that  a  good  account  would 
be  heard  from  the  Regiment. 

;<  Colonel  Smith  in  his  remarks  alluded  handsomely  to  ColoneJ 
Ireland,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  the  Regiments  would  be  brigaded 
together,  and  that  Broome  and  Chenango  would  stand  shoulder  to 
shoulder  in  defence  of  their  country's  flag. 

•'Colonel  Smith  is  a  fine  looking  officer,  and  has  a  clear,  ringing 
voice  of  command.  We  expect  to  hear  a  good  account  of  him. 

"Clark,  the  war  vocalist,  favored  the  vast  crowd  with  the  Sword  of 
Bunker  Hill,  and  the  Death  of  Warren.  Three  cheers  were  given  for 
Mr.  Dickinson,  Colonel  Ireland,  Colonel  Smith,  Clark,  and  the  boys 
generally.  The  sight  of  two  Regiments  in  uniform,  and  the  large  con 
course  of  our  citizens,  ladies  and  gentlemen,  in  carriages  and  on  foot, 
presented  a  military  pageant  never  before  witnessed  in  Binghamton. 
The  Regiment  got  off  about  10  o'clock,  in  good  order,  in  ample  cars, 
nmid  the  shouts  and  cheers  of  the  people." 

How  singular  are  the  fortunes  of  war  !  The  hopes  here 
expressed  by  Colonel  Smith  were  never  realized.  These 
two  Regiments,  ^10,  here,  by  acts  of  mutual  kindness, 
became  warm  friends,  were  never  destined  to  see  each 
other  again,  until  the  war  was  closed.  After  the  great 
review  in  Washington,  in  May,  1865,  they  were  encamped 
near  together  for  a  few  days. 

Good-bye,  One   Hundred  and   Thirty-Seventh !      You 


58  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

followed  soon  after,  and  covered  yourself  with  glory  at 
Gettysburg!!,  and  in  Sherman's  grand  march. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  rattling  rapidly 
along  the  Erie  Railroad,  toward  Elmira,  at  1 1  o'clock,  in 
twenty-seven  well  furnished  cars.  Numerous  delays 
occurred  from  meeting  several  regular  trains,  when,  at  6 
o'clock,  they  arrived  at  the  junction  of  the  Northern 
Central  Railroad,  about  a  mile  from  town.  A  train  was 
here  in  waiting,  so  the  Regiment  was  not  delayed  at 
Elmira,  as  some  anticipated. 

In  the  midst  of  a  violent  rain  storm,  the  men  ran  from 
one  train  to  another,  carrying  in  every  imaginable  way 
their  "  traps,"  as  they  facetiously  called  their  equipments. 
The  transfer  of  baggage  was  soon  effected,  and  the  train 
moved  off  toward  Washington,  which  w^as  then  supposed 
to  be  their  destination.  There  was  but  little  sleep  that 
night  aboard  the  train,  for  dirty  box  cars  are  very  incon 
venient  for  repose,  and  withal,  they  were  very  crowded. 

At  a  dangerous  speed  they  were  jarred,  and  jolted,  and 
jammed  together,  all  the  livelong  night.  Stopping  a 
few  minutes  at  midnight,  in  Williamsport,  for  rations — as 
the  men  -were  very  hungry — they  found  themselves  near 
Harrisburgh  at  day  break. 

"By  George,  what  splendid  bridges  they  have  down 
this  way,"  one  of  the  boy's  remarks,  as  he  sits  perched 
on  the  top  of  a  car,  and  every  one  is  attracted  at  these 
evidences  of  engineering  skill.  Many  had  never  seen 
before  bridges  so  long  and  large,  so  Durable  and  hand 
some,  as  here  frequently  span  the  Susquehanna. 

On,  past  Harrisburgh,  through  York,  where  so  many 
pretty  dames  threw  kisses  at  the  boys,  by  Hanover  Junc 
tion,  where  a  man  gave  the  interesting  information  that 
the  rebels  had  torn  up  the  track  between  there  and  Balti- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  59 

more,  they  whirled  along.  With  an  imagination  heated 
by  the  excitement  of  the  past  few  days,  this  last  story 
was  credited  by  some  of  the  men. 

"  I  think  it  is  a  blamed  shame,"  says  one,  that  we  are 
shut  up  in  these  cars  without  a  single  gun  to  defend  our 
selves." 

"  I  believe  the  report  is  true,"  says  another,  "  for  they 
would 'nt  have  all  these  soldiers  we  see  guarding  the 
track,  if  there  was  'nt  secesh  about  somewhere." 

"  That's  why  they  are  going  so  fast  with  us,"  says  yet 
another,  "  so  as  to  get  us  through  if  they  can,  before  the 
rebels  stop  us." 

Thus  they  talked  and  argued,  till  the  evening  sun  threw 
their  shadows  upon  the  pavements  of  Baltimore. 

Drawn  up  in  line  beside  the  cars,  with  their  knapsacks 
strapped  upon  their  backs,  they  awaited  the  order  to 
march. 

Now  it  came  ;  Right — FACE  !  Forward — MARCH  !  and 
they  were  tramping  through  the  busy  streets.  The  people 
stopped  upon  the  walks  to  ask  the  oft-repeated  question, 
"  What  Regiment  is  this  "  ?  The  men  took  turn  in  an 
swering,  "  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  ISTew  York." 

Cheers  were  given  by  the  citizens ;  flags  and  kerchiefs 
were  waved ;  encouraging  words  uttered,  such  as  "  God 
help  you,  boys"— "Give  the  rebels  fits"—" Bully  for 
you  " — and  like  expressions,  until  the  men  began  to  say 
to  each  .other — "  Why,  this  is  not  such  a  secesh  place, 
after  all." 

A  life  of  several  months  in  this  city  subsequently,  con 
vinced  every  one  that  there  are  no  more  loyal  and  kind- 
hearted  people  in  the  world,  than  the  citizens  of  Baltimore. 

For  a  long  distance  through  the  heart  of  this  great 
city,  they  kept  marching  until  their  heavy  knapsacks 


60  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUXDKEf* 

began  to  overpower  them,  and  some  fell  out  by  the  way, 
when,  joy  to  all,  they  arrived  at  Camden  Station,  where 
it  was  expected  a  train  would  soon  be  ready  to  take  them 
on  to  Washington. 

The  Colonel  informed  the  officers  that  arrangements 
could  not  be  effected  to  proceed  further  that  night,  and 
that  they  must  be  contented  to  sleep  in  the  depot  with 
their  men.  A  fire  had  lately  burned  out  the  interior  of 
the  building,  and  down  among  the  ashes,  and  cinders,  and 
charred  timbers,  the  men  spread  their  blankets,  and  laid 
down  and  slept,  while  a  guard  around  them  kept  away 
hordes  of  hucksters,  pilferers  and  abandoned  characters. 

Nothing  occurred  to  disturb  the  slumber  of  the  weary 
men,  so  that  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  September, 
tkey  were  sufficiently  rested  to  begin  to  feel  quite  sensibly 
the  effects  of  hunger.  This  difficulty  was  soon  met  by 
the  loyal  people  of  Baltimore.  The  Union  Relief  Asso 
ciation  had  their  rooms  only  across  the  street  from  the 
depot,  and  their  tables  were  spread  with  breakfast  for  the 
Regiment.  Several  Companies  at  a  time  were  marched 
up  to  the  table,  to  partake  of  what  might  truthfully  be 
called  indifferent  fare;  but  "one  must  not  look  a  gift 
horse  in  the  mouth,"  was  the  general  sentiment.  "  What's 
the  hodds^  said  an  officer,  "as  long  as  your 'appy,  for 
all  that  I  want  just  now  is  victuals" 

That  morning,  Colonel  Smith  received  definite  orders 
from  General  Wool,  Commander  of  the  Middle  Depart 
ment,  which  very  materially  affected  the  future  history 
of  the  Regiment. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMKNT.  61 


CHAPTER    VI. 

All  the  secrets,oi'  our  campj'll  show. 

ALL'S  WELL  THJLT  ENDS  WELL. 

"The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  must  remain  in 
*  Baltimore."  "  Strap  on  your  knapsacks,  boys."  "  Fall 
in."  "  JFbward — MARCH,"  were  orders  generally  repeat 
ed,  and  promptly  executed.  The  Regiment  was  again 
marching  through  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  to  their  new 
camp  ground.  A  walk  of  a  mile  and  a  half  up  Eutaw 
street,  and  -to  the  head  of  Madison  Avenue,  brought  our 
heroes  to  "  CAMP  BELGER;"  their  future  home  for  nearly 
two  months.  Passing  through  the ,  entrance,  under  an 
arch  painted  with  the  name  of  the  camp,  and  the  number 
of  the  Regiment  which  had  lately  vacated  the  ground, 
(the  Thirty-Eighth  Mass.,)  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  broke  ranks,  and  the  boys  began  to  look  about 
their  new  quarters. 

In  front,  was  a  wide  and  level  parade  ground,  backed 
by  a  gentle  gravelly  slope,  upon  which  was  a  fine  grove 
oi  oak  and  hickory  trees,  furnishing  abundant  shade  from 
the  heat  of  the  sun,  and  protection  from  the  cold  winds  of 
autumn.  Suitable  buildings  were  already  erected  from 
rough Jboards.  Near  the  entrance  was  a  two-story  guard 
house.  Standing  here,  and  looking  towards  the  right  of 
the  camp,  could  be  seen  a  commodious  sutler's  shop.  A 
little  farther  back  was  the  Quartermaster's  building,  for 
the  purpose  of  storing  and  issuing  the  rations  and  cloth 
ing,  with  a  wing  for  a  post-office.  Running  along  the 
whole  rear  of  the  camp  was  a  low  shed  called  the  cook 


62  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

house,  divided  into  compartments,  one  for  each  Company. 
Most  of  these  rooms  had  cellars  of  their  own.  On  the  ex 
treme  left  was  the  Regimental  Hospital.  Nearly  in  the 
centre  of  the  camp  was  a  well,  with  a  large  wooden  pump 
and  trough.  These  were  conveniences  which  the  most 
sanguine  had  never  anticipated,  and  many  were  the  ex 
pressions  of  surprise  and  pleasure  at  the  good  fortune  of 
securing  what  seemed  such  excellent  quarters.  In  the 
mean  time,  the  officers  were  consulting  the  "  Army 
Regulations,"  (a  book  they  had  cause  for  frequent  study 
afterwards),  relative  to  camps,  and  were  staking  out  the 
ground  accordingly.  As  soon  as  this  was  completed, 
Quartermaster  Thompson  was  near  at  hand  with  his  mule 
teams,  and  the  baggage  and  new  tents  were  quickly 
unloaded.  Then,  h6w  anxious  every  one  was  to  make  his 
first  attempt  in  pitching  a  tent.  First,  the  officers'  wall 
tents  must  all  be  put  up  in  a  row,  and  then  the  A  tents  of 
the  men  were  arranged  on  each  side  of  the  Company 
streets,  leading  out  from  the  officers'  quarters,  so  that, 
before  night,  things  really  began  to  assume  a  camp-like 
appearance,  many  of  the  tents  being  floored  by  the 
lumber  left  upon  the  ground  by  its  late  occupants. 

There  were  not  accommodations  enough  for  all  the  men, 
so  they  were  obliged  to  sleep  some  six  or  seven  in  a  tent 
for  several  nights,  until  the  energy  of  the  Quartermaster 
had  procured  a  sufficient  number  of  tents ;  and  then  all 
were  as  pleasantly  situated  as  one  could  wish. 

After  dark,  fatigue  closed  the  eyes  of  the  men,  and  the 
tired  soldier  slept,  while  prayers  at  home  went  up  for  his 
safety. 

But  little  was  done  for  the  next  two  days,  except  to 
clean  up  the  ground,  and  make  more  extended  prepara 
tions  for  a  permanent  camp.  Crowds  of  itinerant  venders 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  63 

of  fruits,  ice  cream  and  pastry,  seriously  annoyed  the 
men,  until  the  camp-guard  was  established,  when,  by 
proper  orders,  they  were  cut  off  from  the  outside  world, 
with  nothing  to  employ  their  minds  but  their  own  legiti 
mate  duties. 

On  the  second  day — a  very  rainy  one — the  arms  and 
accoutrements  were  distributed:  Springfield  rifles,  of 
the  pattern  of  1862,  new  and  bright. 

The  13th  of  September,  the  Regiment  for  the  first  time 
entered  into  every  detail  of  camp  life.  The  daily  duties 
were  as  follows  :  At  5:30,  A.  M.,  the  bugle  sounded  the 
reveille,  which  was  the  signal  for  every  man  to  arise  and 
report  himself  at  roll-call.  After  this,  the  streets  were 
swept,  and  the  men  in  camp  underwent  a  cleansing  opera 
tion  of  the  most  general  character.  At  6  o'clock,  the  call 
was  made  for  breakfast,  which  was  met  ,by  immense 
enthusiasm  by  the  troops,  and  obeyed  with  astonishing 
rapidity.  Each  Company  was  obliged  to  provide  its 
own  cooks,  which  were  usually  detailed  enlisted  men, 
but  some  Companies  employed  "culled  gemmen"  for 
that  purpose.  Their  larder  was  supplied  with  the  follow 
ing  variety  of  eatables :  beef,  salt  pork,  potatoes,  beans, 
rice,  vinegar,  bread,  coffee,  sugar  and  molasses.  Some  of 
these  articles,  however,  were  furnished  only  occasionally, 
and  then  in  limited  quantities.  When  in  campaigns  of 
after  years,  hungry  men  have  thought  of  the  bountiful 
supplies  of  provisions  issued  at  Camp  Belger,  they  have 
often  wished  themselves  back  again. 

At  7:30  A.  M.,  was  the  Surgeon's  call,  when  the  Orderly 
or  First  Sergeant  of  each  Company  presented  his  own 
sick  at  the  Hospital. 

At  8:30  was  the  Guard-Mounting,  which  is  the  ceremo 
ny  of  relieving  the  old  guard,  and  placing  on  duty  a  new 


64  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

party.  From  9:30  they  were  engaged  in  drill  for  an  hour 
and  ahalf.  At  12,  M.,  dinner;  at  1:30  P.  M.,  another  drill ; 
at  4:30,  dress  parade,  which  was  the  central  point  around 
which  revolved  the  events  of  the  whole  day.  Dress  pa- 
Tade  is  the  grand  daily  turn-out  of  the  whole  Regiment ; 
every  man  in  his  best  clothes,  buttons  brightened  and 
muskets  polished,  the  orders  of  the  day  are  read,  certain 
honors  are  given  to  the  colors  and  the  Colonel,  and  the 
whole  enlivened  by  martial  music.  At  6  P.  &.,  retreat 
roll-call;  at  8  P.  M.,  tattoo,  when  roll-call  is  repeated.  At 
9  P.  M.,  taps,  the  signal  for  lights  to  be  extinguished 
when  all  are  supposed  to  be  fast  asleep. 

This  same  programme,  carried  out  every  day,  soon 
renders  camp  life  tedious,  which  is  by  no  means  relieved 
br  orders  usually  issued,  that  no  soldier  can  leave  camp 
without  permission. 

So,  here  they  were,  isolated  from  the  world,  not  know 
ing  that  there  was  any  thing  else  in  exist  ance,  than  Camp 
Belger,  except  the  few  intimations  they  received  from 
the  noise  of  car  whistles  and  cannon,  which  would  come 
over  the  lines,  in  spite  of  guards. 

September  14th.  The  men  could  hardly  realize  that 
this  was  the  Sabbath,  for  every  duty  of  camp  life,  except 
drills,  was  enforced  with  as  much  minuteness  as  upon 
week  days.  Chaplain  Callahan  preached  a  short  sermon 
in  the  morning,  to  a  small  audience,  under  the  shade  of 
the  old  oaks,  upon  the  sin  of  profanity.  Church  service 
served  to  remind  them  of  their  former  home  habits.  The 
Chaplain's  duties,  however,  were  mostly  divided  between 
attendkig  to  the  sick  in  hospital,  and  acting  as  post 
master  for  the  Regiment. 

The  men  were  even  now  discussing  and  predicting 
upon  the  probabilities  of  early  active  service.  They 


A:ND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  05 

were  happy  then,  and  it  was  well  they  knew  not  their 
subsequent  history. 

The  whole^of  the  subsequent  week  was  spent  in  noth 
ing  but  drill  and  exercises.  How  many  tedious  hours 
the  officers  spent  in  conning  over  their  "tactics";  how 
many  references  were  had  to  the  "  regulations  "  to  settle 
a  disputed  point ;  how  many  arms  ached  under  the 
weight  of  those  heavy  gunS ;  how  many  healthy  men 
considered  themselves  mortally  sick,  to  avoid  the  dreaded 
drills ;  let  the  recollections  of  all  serve  for  an  answer. 

Captain  Rexford,  and  Lieutenants  Longwell  and 
Wedge,  soon  arrived  to  participate  in  these  duties,  and 
Dwight  Parce  had  opened  his  "  sutler's  shanty,"  and  was 
dealing  out  his  little  commodities,  as  well  as  keeping  a 
boarding  tent  for  the  use. of  the  ofiicers. 

Another  Simday  brought  with  it  the  weekly  inspection, 
as  also  an  order  from  General  Wool,  to  send  One  Hundred 
and  Thirteen  men  to  report  for  duty  in  the  city. 

Accordingly,  on  the  morning  of  the  22d,  a  detail  of 
eleven  or  twelve  men  was  taken  from  each  Company,  and 
some  sixty  of  them  placed,  under  command  of  Lieutenant 
Longwell,  of  Company  C,  who  marched  them  off  the 
ground,  and  through  the  streets  of  the  city,  to  West 
Warehouse  Hospital,  and  reported  according  to  instruc 
tions,  to  the  Surgeon-in-charge. 

This  Hospital  was  a  large  brick  edifice,  (formerly  used 
as  a  store  house),  close  by  the  docks  of  the  harbor,  and 
was  filled  with  hundreds  of  Union  and  rebel  patients. 
The  Lieutenant  found  comfortable  quarters  for  his  com 
mand,  as  a  large  room  011  the  ground  floor  of  the4)uilding 
had  been  set  aside  for  this  purpose,  and  spacious  bunks 
were  constructed  around  the  walls,  with  numerous  other 
conveniences.  His  duties  were  to  keep  constantly  a  chain 


66  EBCOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

of  guards  around  the  building,  to  prevent  outsiders  from 
encroaching  upon  the  business  and  quiet  of  the  Hospital, 
and  to  keep  convalescent  inmates  from  wandering  into  the 
city.  This  position  these  men  kept  most  of  the  time 
while  the  Regiment  remained  in  Baltimore.  So  we  leave 
them,  and  return  to  Camp  Belger. 

There  was  a  prospect  that  the  Regiment  would  be  cut 
up,  to  do  guard  duty  about  the  city.  Thus  it  eventually 
proved.  Soon  after  this  first  detatchment  had  gone, 
another  squad  of  some  twenty  men,  under  charge  of  a 
Corporal  of  Company  B,  packed  up,  and  jumped  aboard 
the  street  cars,  which  conducted  them  to  Fayette  street, 
where  they  reported  to  the  Medical  Purveyor,  Middle 
Department,  and  were  assigned  to  duty  as  guard  over  the 
building  and  stores.  We  leave  them,  also,  in  comfortable 
quarters. 

The  24th  of  September,  Company  I  marched  from  the 
camp,  and  proceeded  to  the  Camden  Street  Hospital, 
where  they  found  they  had  to  guard  two  whole  squares  of 
the  most  crowded  and  filthy  part  of  the  city.  This  Hos 
pital  consisted  of  two  large  brick  buildings,  constructed 
for  hotels,  in  one  of  which  a  suite  of  rooms  was  set  apart 
for  the  especial  use  of  the  guard. 

The  25th  found  Company  F  in  the  direction  of  Stew 
art's  Mansion  Hospital,  to  which  place  they  soon  arrived, 
and  were  placed  upon  light  duty,  the  same  as  the  other 
detachments.  Company  F  was  even  more  happily  and 
comfortably  located  than  any  of  the  others  ;  their  rooms 
were  clean  and  airy,  their  duty  light,  and  the  society  was 
agreeabl^.  Stewart's  Mansion  was  a  confiscated  residence, 
built  of  stogie,  and  placed  upon  a  commanding  elevation, 
near  the  outskirts  of  the  city. 

Upon  the  same  day  that  saw  the  departure  of  Company 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  67 

F,  Company  E  was  ordered  off  on  similar  duty.  They 
went  to  the  Camden  Station  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
Railroad.  Here  they  found  quarters  in  a  vacant  building 
opposite  the  depot,  so  large  that  probably  every  man 
could  have  had  a  separate  room,  had  he  desired  it.  Their 
duties  were  to  guard  railroad  cars,  and  government  prop 
erty  stored  in  the  depot,  and  to  be  in  readiness  to  take 
charge  of  all  rebel  prisoners  who  might  c"ome  over  the 
railroad. 

Upon  the  29th  of  September,  Lieutenant  R.  P.  York, 
with  fifty  men  from  Company  H,  was  ordered  to  Upper 
Marlborough,  Prince  Gforge  Co.,  Md.,  to  aid  in  enforc 
ing  the  enrollment  in  that  rebellious  district. 

These  men  proceeded  in  cars  as  far  as  Bladensburgh, 
near  Washington,  and  then  marched  some  eighteen  miles, 
to  within  half  a  mile  of  Upper  Marlborough,  when  they 
went  into  camp,  having  brought  their  tents  with  them. 
The  weather  proved  so  stormy,  that  they  subsequently 
moved  into  town,  and  took  up  quarters  in  a  Methodist 


Immediately  upon  their  arrival,  Lieutenant  York  was 
taken  dangerously  ill,  so  that  his  companions  despaired  of 
his  life,  and  it  was  found  necessary  to  send  Captain 
Bullock  from  Baltimore  to  command  this  detachment. 
Here,  Captain  Bullock,  by  his  shrewdness  and  energy,  did 
excellent  service  for  the  -Government,  in  arresting  rebel 
spies  and  secession  editors. 

The  7th  day  of  October,  Company  K  was  sent  to  Mc- 
Kim's  Mansion  Hospital,  another  confiscated  mansion 
upon  a  high  elevation,  in  the  north-west  part  of  the  city. 

The  mansion,  though,  was  not  the  entire  Hospital,  for 
long  rows  of  temporary  structures  had  been  built  adjacent, 
constituting  the  largest  establishment  of  the  kind  in  Bal- 


68  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

timore.  The  duty  here  was  rather  arduous,  and  the  men 
of  Company  K  were  obliged  to  camp  out  in  their  tents, 
upon  a  bleak  and  barren  hill,  where  they  suffered  consid 
erably  from  the  cold  winds  of  autumn.  Thus,  more  thaai 
half  of  the  Regiment  was  scattered  about  the  city,  and 
only  parts  of  five  Companies  remained  on  the  old  camp 
ground  with  the  Head-quarters. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  never  fully 
united  again,  except  for  a  few  days,  till  March,  of  the 
following  year. 

Those  who  remained  at  Camp  Belger,  assiduously  kept 
up  their  studies  and  drills,  so  fthat  day  by  day  they 
learned  something  new  of  military.  The  One  Hundred 
and  Sixteenth  N.  Y.,  a  Regiment  that  afterwards  became 
their  intimate  companions  in  arms,  encamping  near  by, 
held  daily  battalion  drills  in  full  view  of  the  camp,  and 
our  men  watching  them,  and  observing  how  fast  they 
were  improving  in  the  promptness  and  precision  of  their 
movements,  began  to  take  an  interest  in  such  things,  and 
wished  that  they,  too,  might  learn  to  execute  those  bea^u- 
tiful  evolutions. 

Regimental  drill  then  became  the  order  of  the  day, 
and  every  pleasant  morning  the  visitors  at  Druid  Hill 
Park,  heard  the  shout  of  command,  saw  the  glisten  of 
bayonets  and  the  ever  changing  columns  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment. 

The  men  also  became  very  keen  and  skillful  in  the  per 
formance  of  their  guard  duties.  The  Grand  Rounds 
were  what  conduced  to  this  acquirement,  for  they  were 
around  every  night,  adopting  every  means,  however 
improbable  or  ridiculous,  to  discover  some  fault,  or  catch 
some  careless  soldier  in  a  neglect  of  duty.  Every  one  had 
•an  absolute  horror  of  being  detailed  for  guard. 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  t>9 

One  night  when  it  was  dark  as  Hades,  and  as  windy  as 
the  Isle  of  ^Eolus,  a  Grand  Rounds,  (composed  of  the 
Officer  of  the^Day,  a  Sergeant,  and  two  or  three  privates) 
approached  a  sentinel  on  his  post,  and  the  following 
colloquy  occurred : 

Sentinel — "  Who  comes  there  ?" 

Sergeant—"  Grand  Rounds !" 

Sentinel  —  (Feebly  and  fearfully)  —  "  Halt,  grand 
rounds  !  Advance,  Sergeant,  with  the  countersign." 

The  countersign  was  given,  and  acknowledged  as 
"  correct."  The  officer  stepped  up  and  remarked :  "  Is  that 
the  proper  way  to  hold  your  gun  when  you  are  challeng 
ing  ?  Don  't  you  know  any  better  than  that  ?  Give  me 
that  gun  and  I  will  show  you  how  to  hold  it.  You  ought 
to  be  ashamed  of  yourself."  (It  was  so  dark  that  neither 
one  could  see  a  gun  laid  across  his  nose.)  The  poor 
soldier  protested  that  he  did  not  mean  to  do  anything 
wrong ;  that  he  always  tried  to  do  his  duty,  and  willingly 
handed  over  his  piece.  As  soon  as  the  musket  was  out  of 
his  hands,  the  sentinel  was  in  a  sad  predicament ;  without 
any  means  of  defense,  lie  was  easily  driven  on  his  post 
at  the  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  for  the  first  time  appreci 
ated  that  he  had  committed  a  guard  house  offence.  He 
implored  for  his  gun  ;  the  officer  returned  his  piece  with 
a  gentle  reminder  never  to  be  caught  in  that  way  again. 
.  Colonel  Smith  had  instituted  a  system  of  granting 
passes,  whereby  every  worthy  soldier  had  an  opportunity 
occasionally  of  visiting  the  town.  It  was  not  long  before 
every  one  had  seen  all  the  "  lions  "  of  the  "  Monumental 
City." 

Washington  monument,  with  its  marble  shaft  looming 
up  far  above  the  surrounding  spires  and  domes,  and  sur 
mounted  with  a  colossal  statue  of  the  "Father  of  his 


70  EECORD  OF  THE  t)XE  HUNDRED 

country,"  was  the  chief  point  of  attraction,  on  account  of 
the  splendid  view  obtained  from  its  summit.  Fort  Mc- 
Henry,  dear  with  revolutionary  memories,  was  also  an 
-object  of  frequent  visits.  Others,  of  less  cultivated 
tastes,  spent  their  time  in  the  city,  in  attending  theatres 
and  other  places  of  amusement. 

Nothing,  but  of  passing  interest,  happened  now  for 
several  weeks. 

On  the  13th  of  September,  the  first  death  occurred  in 
the  Regiment.  Richard  Snell,  of  Company  A,  was  an 
early  martyr  to  the  cause  of  liberty. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Seventh — the  Madison 
County  Regiment — passed  through  the  city  on  the  29th  of 
September.  Passes  were  freely  given  the  men  to  go 
down  and  see  their  friends  and  neighbors.  The  Hamilton 
Band,  which  had  accompanied  this  Regiment  as  far  as 
Baltimore,  now  came  up  to  Camp  Belger,  and  remained 
several  days,  enlivening  the  Regiment  with  their  excellent 
music. 

On  the  9th  of  October,  the  Regiment  was  brigaded 
under  Brigadier  General  Emory,  with  the  One  Hundred 
and  Tenth,  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth,  and  One  Hun 
dred  and  Twenty-Eighth  New  York,  Thirty-Eighth 
Massachusetts  Infantry,  and  Sixth  New  York  Artillery. 

The  25th  of  October  brought  a  change  in  the  disposi 
tion  of  the  Companies.  For  the  most  .part,  the  Compa 
nies  who  had  remained  in  camp,  relieved  those  on  duty  in 
the  city,  and  the  latter  returned  to  their  old  quarters,  to 
continue  their  neglected  drills.  Company  A  relieved 
Company  K,  at  McKim's  Mansion  Hospital ;  Company  B 
relieved  Company  F,  at  Stewart's  Mansion  Hospital ; 
Company  C  relieved  Company  E,  at  Camden  Station ; 
Company  D  .relieved  Company  I,  at  Camden  Street 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  71 

Hospital ;  Lieutenant  Underbill,  Company  G,  relieved 
Lieutenant  Longwell  at  West  Ware-House  Hospital,  and 
Captain  Tucker,  with  the  balance  of  his  Company, 
relieved  the  men  at  the  Medical  Purveyor's  Office. 

The  most  arduous  and  vexatious  part  of  military,  is 
what  is  commonly  designated  "  red  tape-ism."  By  the 
last  of  October,  a  number  of  reports  must  be  written,  the 
most  important  of  which  are  the  bi-monthly  muster 
rolls.  These  large  blanks  have  to  be  filled  out  with  so 
much  exactness,  that  not  a  blot,  or  an  erasure,  or  error  in 
figures,  or  the  most  trifling  violation  of  technical  rules 
could  be  Discovered,  otherwise  the  papers  would  be  in 
valid,  and  the  men  would  suffer  thereby. 

For  days  and  days,  the  officers  were  busy  in  writing, 
correcting  and  re- writing  their  rolls,  until  by  the  appoint 
ed  day,  the  31st  of  the  month,  everything  was  completed 
for  the  muster.  The  men  were  out  in  the  morning  in  their 
best  clothes ;  their  guns  and  accoutrements  had  received 
an  extra  polish,  and  the  tents  and  streets  had  been  newly 
swept,  when  Colonel  Cowles,  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Eighth  New  York,  rode  upon  the  ground  and 
proceeded  with  the  ceremony  of  muster.  First,  there 
was  a  formal  review,  next,  a  minute  inspection,  and  lastly, 
the  muster,  which  consisted  in  calling  over  the  rolls,  to 
see  if  the  number  and  names  of  the  men  agreed  with 
those  upon  the  papers.  Before  noon  the  muster  was 
over,  with  satisfaction  to  all  concerned.  The  balance  of 
the  day  was  spent  in  rest,  and  in  sports.  It  was  amusing 
to  see  the  way  the  soldiers  employed  their  leisure 
moments.  Boxing,  wrestling,  singing,  dancing  and 
pantomimic  performances  constituted  most  of  their 
diversions.  Every  evening,  there  was  a  prayer  meeting 
at  the  Chaplain's  tent,  which  was  the  source  of  consider- 


72  KECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDKED 

able  attraction.  It  was  sometimes  rather  astonishing,  to 
sit  at  the  door  of  a  tent,  of  an  evening,  and  hear  the 
sounds  of  prayer  and  praise  strangly  blended  with  the 
incongruous  music  of  violins,  and  the  calls  of  "  All  prom 
enade,"  and  "  ladies  to  the  right." 

For  some  time  the  men  collected  in  squads  about  their 
tents  and  cook  rooms,  and  poured  forth  their  mutual 
complaints,  at  their  present  state  of  inactivity.  The 
familiar  expression  of  Northern  people  and  papers,  "  why 
don 't  the  army  of  the  Potomac  move  ?"  was  here  altered 
into  "why  don't  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
move?"  They  began  to  say  that  they  "  enlisted  for  the 
war,  and  came  south  for  the  purpose  of  fighting,  and  do 
not  want  to  be  kept  as  guard  over  a  city  that  could  be 
demolished  by  the  guns  of  the  forts  that  surround  it." 

Whether  it  was  the  grumbling  of  the  soldiers,  or  some 
other  influence  that  caused  the  publication  of  the  follow 
ing  order,  is  unknown : 

1.  The  following-  Regiments,  having  been  designated,  will  hold  them 
selves  in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  notice,  on  distant  service : 
110th  N.  Y.  V.,  Colonel  D.  C.  Littlejohu;  114th  K  Y.  V.,  Colonel  E. 
B.  Smith;  116th  N.  Y.   V.,  Colonel  E.  P.  Chapin ;  128th  N.  Y.  V., 
Colonel  D.  S.  Cowles ;  38th  Mass.,  Colonel  S.  Ingraham. 

2.  The  Commanders  of  Regiments  will  see  that  the  arms  and  equip- 
ments  of  each  man  are  complete,  and  that  he  has  in  his  knapsack  one 
pair  of  shoes,  and  a  complete  change  of  underclothes,  i.  e.  shirts, 
stockings  and  drawers. 

This  order  was  from  General  Emory,  and  was  read  at 
the  dress  parade  of  Sunday  evening,  November  2d.  It 
produced  a  decided  sensation  in  camp,  and  was  the  theme 
of  much  conversation.  The  words,  "  for  distant  service," 
were  met  with  curious  interpretations,  and  various  were 
the  speculations  concerning  their  probable  destination. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  73 

Some  said  they  were  going  to  Texas  ;  others  insisted  thai- 
Charleston  would  be  their  winter  quarters,  and  still  others 
were  positive  that  Richmond  was  about  to  be  captured. 
It  was  a  day  of  bustle,  excitement  and  toil,  for  the  Com 
panies  out  in  the  city,  one  at  a  time,  were  coming  back, 
and  pitching  their  tents  over  again,  until  at  night  the 
Regiment  was  once  more  united. 

On  Monday  afternoon,  orders  were  published  directing 
the  men  in  squads,  or  Companies,  or  under  individual 
instruction,  to  employ  themselves  as  much  as  possible  in 
target  exercise,  a  quantity  of  ammunition  being  furnished 
for  that  purpose.  But  the  shooting,  commenced  with 
such  apparent  delight  and  animation,  was  of  short  dura 
tion. 


74  RECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    VII. 

Ant.  By  sea,  by  sea. 

Eno.    Most  worthy  sir,  you  therein  throw  away 
The  absolute  soldiership  you  have  by  land  ; 
Distract  your  army,  which  doth  most  consist 
Of  war-mark'd  foot-men. 

ANTONY  AND  CLEOPATKA. 

About  12  o'clock  on  Tuesday  night,  November  4th,  an 
order  came  for  three  Companies  to  march  to  the  wharves 
in  the  morning.  Companies  A,  B,  and  C,  were  up  very 
early  packing  their  knapsacks,  cooking  rations,  and  dis 
posing  of  their  superfluous  fixings.  A  soldier  in  camp  is 
forever  accumulating  in  his  tent,  a  collection  of  books 
and  bottles,  ropes,  old  clothes,  tools,  and  extemporized 
furniture,  which,  when  he  comes  to  march,  he  is  obliged 
to  give  or  throw  away. 

In  the  midst  of  such  confusion,  tRe  Companies  marched 
off  in  fine  style,  headed  by  martial  music.  At  noon,  the 
whole  Regiment,  rather  unexpectedly,  received  marching 
orders.  There  Avas  some  rejoicing,  and  a  great  deal  of 
secret  sorrow,  in  parting  from  the  comforts— luxuries 
even — and  pleasant  associations  of  Camp  Belger,  for  dis 
tant  and  active  service. 

Such  a  scrabbling,  and  flurry,  and  excitement,  were 
never  before  witnessed.  Before  4  o'clock,  nearly  all  the 
officers  and  men,  with  "  bag  and  baggage,"  had  left  the 
encampment,  which,  as  they  were  departing,  looked 
desolate  indeed.  The  floors  of  tents,  loose  boards,  old 
stoves,  and  crude  furniture  of  various  kinds,  were  scattered 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  75 

in  wild  profusion  around ;  while  contrabands,  wash 
women,  and  urchins,  white,  yellow  and  black,  were 
gathering  up  the  rags  and  cast-away  garments — the  odds 
and  ends  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth. 

The  sick,  of  which  there  were  some  fifteen  in  Hospital, 
and  others  in  quarters  unable  to  march,  were  removed  to 
the  General  Hospital  at  Stewart's  Mansion.  A  fatiguing 
march  of  several  miles,  and  the  Regiment  filed  out  of  a 
narrow  street  upon  the  docks,  and  stacked  arms,  to  await 
further  developments. 

"  Well,  any  how,"  said  a  young  fellow,  lighting  his  pipe, 
u  We  're  going  to  take  a  voyage  on  old  briny,  for  there 
goes  our  other  Companies,  on  that  big  ship,  out  there." 
He  was  right,  for  away  out  in  the  bay,  Companies  A,  B, 
•and  C,  could  be  seen,  clambering  out  of  a  lighter,  up  the 
huge  sides  of  the  steamer  Arago,  and  disappearing  from 
sight,  within  her  capacious  hold. 

"  I  '11  bet  my  old  hat,  that  they  are  going  to  put  us  on 
this  tub,  tied  up  to  the  dock  here,"  somebody  said,  in  the 
crowd.  It  was  a  safe  wager,  for  in  a  few  moments,  the 
men,  in  single  file,  were  walking  over  the  planks,  and 
through  the  open  port,  into  the  vacant  hold  of  the  little 
propeller  Thames.  THAMES  !  How  many  a  sad  and  bitter 
recollection  the  name  recalls !  How  many  brave  hearts 
now  shudder,  at  the  bare  mention  of  the  word ! 

Those  who  arrived  first,  moved  off  to  the  farthest  corner 
of  the  lower  deck,  and  deposited  their  knapsacks  and 
equipments  upon  the  dirty  floor.  The  line  of  men  kept 
coming  on,  until  there  was  only  standing  room  allowed 
for  each  man.  The  crowd,  and  heat,  and  suffocation  were 
intolerable.  Seven  hundred  beings,  within  a  room  eighty 
by  thirty  feet !  To  take  a  voyage  in  this  condition,  was 
unendurable.  Colonel  Smith,  after  superhuman  labors, 


•  70  RECORD  OF  THE  ONU   HUMUS  Kl> 

with  the  Chief-Quartermaster,  (the  name  of  Colonel 
Belger  is  now  disgraced,  for  he  has  since  been  cashiered 
the  service,)  secured  the  transfer  of  a  part  of  his»command 
to  another  vessel.  Companies  D,  F,  and  G  marched  oft' 
and  went  aboard  the  steamer  Atlantic'.  So  that  there 
remained,  eventually  upon  the  Thames,  Companies  E,  11, 
I,  and  K,  with  the  Regimental  Head-quarters.  The 
press  was  somewhat  relieved,  but  still  there  were  too 
many  men  on  board  for  comfort  or  health. 

While  joking,  to  forget  their  unpleasant  situation,  the 
boys  spread  their  blankets  and  laid  down  to  seek  for  rest. 
And  what  a  sight !  Imagine  four  hundred  men  in  such 
a  contracted  place ;  men  in  every  conceivable  posture ; 
men  with  lank  bodies  describing  the  letter  Z;  men  squat 
ting,  so  as  to  occupy  about  a  foot  of  space ;  men  sleeping, 
with  enormous  pairs  of  government  shoes  under  their 
noses ;  men  vociferously  snoring,  with  somebody's  elbows 
planted  in  their  mouths ;  men,*  with  legs  perpendicularly 
placed  against  the  beams  overhead — a  sight  beyond 
description.  And  what  vehement  ejaculations  disturbed 
their  repose  ! 

"  Oh  !  my  corns  !" 

"  Take  your  hands  out  of  my  hair  !v 

"  There,  you  have  lain  on  me  long  enough  ;  try  another 
man !" 

"What  an  almighty  long  fellow  you  are,  any  how  !" 

Sundry  amusing  remarks,  like  these,  mingled  with  not- 
very  gentle  curses,  served  to  keep  their  spirits  up  during 
the  night.  It  seems  that  one  man,  hi"  particular,  was 
disgusted  with  this  condition  of  things,  for  in  the  dark 
ness  of  the  night  he  deserted  from  the  Regiment,  and 
sought  in  Canada  a  peaceful  abode.  His  name  was 
Robert  Allen.  He  was  the  first  deserter  from  *  he  Regi- 

• 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  77 

inent.  The  most  of  the  night  was  spent  in  loading  the 
already  overloaded  vessel,  with  rations,  clothing,  coal, 
baggage  and  camp  equipage. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  following  day,  November 
6th,  the  Thames  was  under  way,  but  to  the  great  chagrin 
and  disappointment  of  all  aboard,  they  had  proceeded 
but  a  short  Avay  from  the  docks,  before  they  found  them 
selves  fairly  stuck  on  a  sand  bar.  Here  was  a  dilemma 
they  had  hardly  expected.  For  two  whole  days  and 
nights,  during  severe  cold  weather  and  a  snow  storm, 
they  were  fastened  in  the  mud  ;  but  "  misery  likes  com 
pany,"  and  they  contented  themselves  with  the  thought 
that  they  were  in  no  worse  condition  than  the  Atlantic. 
and  Arayo,  which  laid  near  by,  in  the  same  predicament. 

On  the  morning  of  the  8th,  the  cheering  news  went 
through  the  vessel,  that  the  tide  had  carried  them  afloat, 
and  when  a  few  more  stores  had  been  loaded,  they  bade 
farewell  to  Baltimore. 

It  was  a  damp  and  chilly  day  that  they  steamed  down 
the  Chesapeake  ;  yet  most  of  the  officers  and  men  spent 
their  time  upon  the  deck,  too  absorbed  in  the  novel 
scenery  to  notice  the  unfavorable  weather.  The  spires 
and  domes  of  the  "Monumental  City"  slowly  sank 
behind  the  waves,  and  when  the  last  glimpse  of  the  flag 
of  Fort  McHenry  was  obtained,  they  turned  their  eyes 
from  the  city  that  had  become  almost  as  familiar  to  them 
as  their  native  villages.  The  vessel  swiftly  ploughed  the 
bright  green  sea  water,  turning  up  deep  furrows  on  either 
side,  leaving  astern  a  long  line  of  foam.  In  a  little  while 
they  passed  the  JBaltic  going  to  Baltimore  for  more  troops. 
On  all  sides  were  craft  of  every  grade  and  description. 
Annapolis,  and  the  mouth  of  the  Potomac  successively 
appeared  in  view.  Darkness  coming  on,  they  went  below 


78  KECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

to  try  to  sleep,  and  to  repeat  the  scenes  of  preceding 
nights. 

Towards  morning,  the  sea  became  more  rough,  and  the 
vessel  began  to  rock.  Some  few  gave  very  marked 
symptoms  of  stomachic  troubles,  while  others  increased 
their  affliction  by  stories  of  fat  pork  and  castor  oil. 

When  they  had  devoured  a  breakfast  of  hard  tack  and 
raw  meat,  they  mounted  the  deck,  and  found  themselves 
anchored  oif  Fortress  Monroe. 

Here  was  scenery  of  great  historic  interest.  On  the 
north,  heavy  granite  walls  and  wide  ditches  filled 
with  sea  water,  and  the  deep  bastions  of  the  Fortress  ;  the 
enormous  cannon  peeping  through  its  sides  and  over  its 
top ;  the  sentinel  slowly  pacing  its  parapets ;  the  little 
man  with  telescope  and  flags,  telegraphing  to  distant 
points;  the  big  guns  "  Union "  and  "Lincoln"  in  earth 
works  near  the  water — were  all  subjects  of  considerable 
remark. 

Towards  the  south  was  seen,  dimly  in  the  distance, 
Sewall's  Point,  and  nearer  by,  the  Rip  Raps,  where  are 
kept  refractory  soldiers.  On  the  east,  the  sea  stretched 
out  apparently  without  limit.  On  the  west  was  Hampton 
Roads,  constantly  full  of  vessels  at  anchor,  and  the  place 
where  occurred  the  memorable  battle  between  the  Moni 
tor  and  Merrimac. 

The  Arago  arrived  at  Hampton  Roads  during  the  day 
of  the  9th,  and  dropped  anchor  near  at  hand.  Our  men 
upon  these  vessels  had  more  comfortable  accommodations. 
They  had  rations  cooked,  were  not  so  miserably  crowded, 
and  the  officers  were  supplied  with  state  rooms,  all  of 
which  cannot  be  said  for  the  Thames. 

Upon  the  Arago,  our  boys  were  associated  with  the 
One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Eighth  New  York  ;  upon  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  79 

Atlantic  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New 
York.  The  men  upon  the  Atlantic  had  a  serious  time  in 
getting  off  the  bar  some  nine  miles  from  Baltimore.  They 
were  compelled  not  only  to  dismiarge  the  large  ship  of 
nearly  all  its  freight  upon  a  schooner,  but  were  obliged 
to  transfer  themselves  to  other  boats,  in  order  to  lighten 
the  vessel. 

The  night  before,  they  slept  upon  the  deck  of  a  small 
steamer,  while  several  tugs,  were  assisting  the  unfortunate 
Atlantic,  in  getting  off  the  t>ar.  She  arrived  at  Fortress 
Monroe  on  the  13th,  being  detained  on  the  bar  for  five 
days. 

The  10th  of  November  was  a  calm  and  beautiful  day. 
The  men  were  all  out  upon  the  decks,  chatting,  playing- 
cards,  washing  clothes,  and  enjoying  the  scenery.  In 
the  morning  the  little  Monitor  went  up  the  harbor,  while 
every  eye  was  'turned  to  obtain  a  good  view  of  the 
"  cheese  box  on  a  raft."  Two  English  men-of-war  at  an 
chor,  displayed  a  profusion  of  flags,  and  fired  a  salute  in 
honor  of  some  British  event.  In  the  afternoon,  the 
Thames  weighed  anchor,  and  steamed  to  the  dock,  when 
the  men  went  ashore,  and  drilled  until  sun-down,  upon 
the  sandy  beach  in  front  of  the  Fortress.  It  was  not  a 
profitable  drill,  for  the  men  could  not  march  well,  by 
reason  of  the  depth  and  looseness  of  the  sand. 

On  the  following  day,  the  men  were  landed  again,  and 
marched  around  to  the  rear  of  the  Fortress.  They  re 
mained  upon  the  shore  all  day,  doing  but  little  drilling, 
but  spending  their  time  in  fishing  for  delicious  oysters, 
au/1  examining  .the  wonders  of  the  stupendous  Fortress. 
Many  sought  and  secured  permits  to  visit  the  interior  of 
the  fortification.  They  came  away  completely  over 
whelmed  with  the  magnitude  of  the  work. 

They  dreamed  that  night  of  long  rows  of  monstrous 


80  KECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

cannon,  and  audacious  looking  mortars,  with  upturned 
and  gaping  mouths,  and  piles  of  balls  and  shells,  and  files 
of  secesh  prisoners.  It  was  only  a  reproduction  of  the 
real.  ^ 

Tuesday,  the  llth,  the  Thames  and  Arago  steamed 
Seven  miles  to  Newport  News,  where  they  anchored  with 
in  a  few  rods  of  the  wrecked  vessel  Cumberland.  Her 
masts  protruding  about  half  their  length  above  the 
water,  presented  a  dreadful  spectacle  of  the  effects  of 
war.  Within  her  hulk  were  tfie  bodies  of  over  a  hundred 
men,  who,  refusing  to  surrender  the  ship,  or  save  their 
own  lives  when  every  chance  offered,  perished  with  her. 
Some  of  the  boys  obtained  bits  of  her  flag  and  rigging 
to  send  home  as  curiosities. 

For  ten  days  afterwards,  the  men  went  ashore  at  New 
port  News,  every  pleasant  day,  for  drill  and  exercise, 
and  proceeded  aboard  every  evening  for  sleep.  For  a  few 
nights,  though,  they  were  quartered  in  log  barracks. 
These  buildings  had  been  occupied  by  soldiers  a  long 
time,  and  were  abominably  filthy,  but  they  were  an 
agreeable  change  from  the  closeness  of  a  ship's  hold. 

Newport  News  was  indeed  a  miserable  appearing 
village,  composed  mostly  of  Sutler's  shops  and  negro 
shanties.  There  were  thousands  of  "  contrabands  "  in  it, 
and  what  poor,  degraded  creatures  they  were !  It  will" 
take  many  years  of  education,  and  the  enlightening 
effects  of  freedom,  to  bring  them  up  to  the  proper  stand 
ard  of  intelligence.  On  the  18th  of  November,  within 
the  barracks,  the  men  signed  their  rolls,  and  received 
two  months'  pay. 

Corcoran's  Legion  were  arriving  every'  day  on  trans 
ports,  from  New  York,  until  the  buildings  and  fields 
around  Newport  News  were  filled  with  men  and  camps. 
There  was  no  more  room  for  drilling  on  the  plain  back  of 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEG1MEMT.  81 

the  town,  soon  the  21st,  the  Thames  sailed  back  to 
Fortress  Monroe,  followed  on  the  23d  by  the  Arago.  All 
of  this  time  the  Atlantic  lay  opposite  the  Rip  Raps. 

Colonel  Littlejohn  about  this  time  took  command  of 
the  brigade,  and  General  Emory  of  all  the  troops  in 
transitu  at  this  point. 

At  4  o'clock  on  the  afternoon  of  Sunday,  the  23d, 
after  an  impressive  sermon  upon  the  deck,  by  the  Chap 
lain,  the  Thames,  weighed  anchor,  steamed  across  the 
harbor,  and  entered  the  mouth  of  the  Elizabeth  river. 
No  one  on  that  vessel  will  ever  forget  the  pleasure  they 
(experienced  on  that  evening  ride.  The  mildness  of  the 
weather,  aj^d  the  beauty  and  novelty  of  the  scenery, 
served  to  captivate  the  men,  till  the  city  of  Norfolk 
appeared  in  view.  Passing  the  wreck  of  the  Merrimac, 
the  fort,  and  crowds  of  vessels  coming  and  going,  the 
Thames  was  made  fast  to  the  dock,  a  little  after  sunset. 

For  four  days  the  men  alternated  between  ship  and 
shore.  The  first  day,  they  marched  for  exercise,  through 
the  city,  to  Fort  Norfolk,  which  is  a  stone  fortification, 
used  for  the  double  purpose  of  arsenal  and  jail  for  prison 
ers.  On  the  second  and  third  days,  they  went  to  the 
rear  of  the  city  to  drill.  The  fourth  day  was  Thanksgiv 
ing  in  New  York  State.  How  many  good  dinners  were 
ate  at  home,  while  the  soldier  boy  was  munching  his  hard 
tack,  on  the  Atlantic,  the  Arago  and  Thames  !  On  that 
day  the  detachment  crossed  over  a  long  bridge  towards 
the  town  of  Portsmouth,  and  drilled  in  a  ploughed  field, 
when  the  men  had  an  excellent  opportunity  of  testing  the 
character  of  Virginia  mud.  During  a  breathing  spell, 
they  "  confiscated  "  a  garden  of  turnips,  for  the  avowed 
purpose  of  having  something  extra  for  a  thanksgiving 
dinner.  On  their  return  to  Norfolk,  in  the  evening,  they 
found  the  interior  of  the  TJwmes  fitted  up  with* rough 


82  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

bunks,  and  a  temporary  cook-galley  was  built  upon  the 
deck.  Their  discomforts  upon  this  ship  were  thus  partial 
ly  relieved. 

In  the  evening,  quite  a  number  secured  permits  to  visit 
the  theatre,  a  very  inferior  place  of  amusement. 

Norfolk  is  one  of  the  oldest,  if  not  the  oldest  city  in 
Virginia,  and  was  once  a  place  of  much  commercial 
importance ;  but  owing  to  the  paralyzing  effects  of  the 
rebellion,  it  became  a  deserted,  decayed,  and  filthy  city. 
Nearly  two-thirds  of  the  dwellings  and  places  of  business 
were  closed,  and  almost  every  female  in  the  streets  was 
clothed  in  the  habiliments  of  mourning.  Portsmouth, 
opposite,  is  a  pleasant  town.  9 

The  morning  of  the  28th,  our  boys  were  again  on  their 
way  to  the  Fortress.  During  that  day,  and  the  one 
following,  they  drilled  among  the  ruins  of  Hampton,  two 
miles  in  the  rear  of  the  Fortress. 

This  place,  before  its  destruction  by  the  rebels,  was  one 
of  the  finest  villages  of  the  State.  Here  was  erected  the 
first  Church  ever  built  upon  American  soil.  It  was  used 
as  a  hospital  in  the  time  of  the  Revolution ;  but,  notwith 
standing  its  claim  to  antiquity — its  sacredness,-  and  the 
hallowed  associations,  which  have  clustered  around  it  for 
so  many  generations — it  could  not  be  spared  the  fate  of 
the  town,  at  the  hands  of  the  ruthless  Magruder. 

The  next  day — a  pleasant  Sabbath — the  Regiment 
marched  in  the  morning  from  the  landing,  and  worshipped 
amid  the  ruins  of  this  demolished  sanctuary,  consecrated 
over  twa  hundred  years  ago,  to  the  service  of  the  living 
God.  From  its  broken  walls  and  shattered  pinnacles, 
many  a  soldier  took  relics,  to  send  to  friends  at  home,  or 
preserve  as  objects  of  curiosity — as  mementoes  of  by4 
gone  and  distant  generations.  Conspicuous  among  the 
ruins  of  Hampton  was  the  former  residence  of  Ex-Presi- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  83 

dent  Tyler.  It  was  once,  indeed,  an  elegant  residence,  in 
a  delightful  spot.  The  whole  was  appropriated  by  the 
lineal  descendants  of  Ham.  Oh  !  Virginia,  poor  Vir 
ginia,  how  hast  thou  fallen  from  thy  high  estate  ! 

On  the  30th  of  November,  the  Companies  aboard  the 
Arago  and  Atlantic  went  on  shore,  near  the  Fortress, 
and  pitched  their  tents.  One  day  of  camp  life  was  all 
they  conld  enjoy,  for  they  were  ordered  back  within 
twenty-four  hours. 

Appearances  seemed  to  indicate  that  the  long  looked 
for  voyage  was  about  to  take  place.  The  men  were  kept 
aboard  for  the  next  two  days,  while  provisions,  coal  and 
water  were  being  loaded. 

A  sad  feeling  of  despondency  and  irritation  existed 
among  the  whole  command  ;  while  on  the  Thames,  grave 
apprehensions  of  the  safety  of  their  craft  added  to  their 
depression. 

One  hundred  and  thirty  men  and  four  officers  were  sent 
to  the  hospitals  at  this  place.  Many  of  them  never  joined 
the  Regiment  again.  Had  our  Regiment  been  allowed 
to  remain  in  camp  at  Baltimore,  or  gone  into  camp  here, 
till  the  fleet  was  ready,  or  nearly  ready  to  go  to  sea,  the 
"  sick  list "  would  have  been  at  least  one  hundred  per 
cent,  better  than  it  was.  What  is  true  of  one  Regiment, 
is  true  of  others.  Like  causes  produce  like  results.  It  is 
proved  by  all  experience  that  the  first  three  or  four 
months  try  the  constitution  and  stamina  of  the  soldier. 
Sickness  decimates  an  army  more  than  bullets.  If  men 
stand  it  through  the  initiatory  period,  and  become  inured 
to  the  changes,  exposures  and  hardships  of  the  camp  and 
the  field,  they  have  a  sort  of  immunity  which,  other 
things  being  equal,  renders  them  comparatively  secure. 


84  RECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

"I  have  seen 

Tli '  anibitious  ocean  swell,  and  rage,  and  foam, 
To  be  exalted  with  the  threatening  clouds ; 
Bnt  never  till  to-night,  never  till  now, 
Did  I  go  through  a  tempest — " 

JULIUS  CLESAB. 

Our  fortune  on  the  sea  is  out  of  breath, 
And  sinks  most  lamentably. 

ANTONY  AND  CLEOPATRA. 

It  was  beginning  to  be  a  very  serious  matter,  this 
being  confined  for  such  a  length  of  time  within  a  narrow 
ship's  hold,  without  ventilation,  and  the  air  reeking  with 
the  stench  of  bilge- water,  and  the  exhalations  of  the 
men.  Great  numbers  were  taken  sick,  while  the  wonder 
is,  that  an  epidemic  *  did  not  carry  off  the  whole 
command. 

Upon  the  morning  of  December  4th,  the  welcome 
order  arrived,  to  proceed  to  sea  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  A 
little  after,  the  appointed  time,  the  "  Union  jack  "  went 
up  the  main-mast  of  the  flag-ship  Baltic.  Immediately, 
all  over  the  harbor  could  be  heard  the  clanking  of  anchor 
chains,  and  the  songs  of  sailors, "  heaving  away,"  mingled 
with  the  hissing  of  steam  from  escape  pipes.  One  by 
one,  the  vessels  took  their  places  in  line,  and  rapidly 
sailed  out  to  sea,  while  their  decks  were  covered  with 
cheering  men. 

Telegraphs  and  reporters  announced  to  the  country 
that  "  Banks'  Expedition  "  had  sailed. 

The  fleet  rounded  Cape  Henry,  and  stopped  some  ten 
miles  from  the  Fortress.  The  whole  of  that  afternoon 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  65f 

the  vessels  lay  rolling  upon  the  heavy  swells,  awaiting 
the  arrival  of  the  flag-ship,  to  lead  the  way,  which  from 
some  unknown  cause  had  been  detained. 

The  men  beguiled  the  tedium  of  the  long  hours  by- 
observing  some  of  the  curiosities  of  the  deep.  Porpoises,, 
tumbling  and  rolling  in  the  water ;  flying  fish,  jumping 
out  the  sea,  like  grasshoppers  in  a  meadow  ;  little  nautili, 
or  Portuguese  men-of-war,  paddling  and  sailing  around 
the  ships  in  their  pearly  shell  boats ;  occasionally  a  shark ; 
and  last,  but  not  least,  a  huge  whale ;  were  all  objects  of 
intense  interest. 

About  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  colored  lights  flashed 
across  the  waters  the  signal  "  go  ahead."  After  all  the 
delays,  there  was  no  doubt  now,  but  that  they  had  finally 
started.  For  the  present,  let  us  follow  the  fortunes  of 
the  Thames. 

All  went  well,  except  with  the  unlucky  sea-sick  ones, 
until  the  afternoon  of  the  5th,  when  a  severe  gale  began 
to  blow  from  the  west,  while  psHsing  the  stormy  Cape 
Hatteras.  The  fleet,  which  had  been  in  sight,  and  moving 
in  regular  order  up  to  this  time,  commenced  to  separate, 
and  pass  out  of  sight.  A  heavy  sea  was  running,  and 
the  Thames  rocked  violently,  now  ploughing  through 
the  waves,  and  now  rolling  from  side  to  side,  like  an  un 
manageable  log.  Still  they  held  on  their  course  with 
patience,  through  the  driving  rain,  for  three  or  four- 
hours,  until  they  had  nearly  passed  the  Cape,  when,  all  of 
a  sudden,  the  engine  stopped  with  a  jarring  crash.  In  a 
»few  minutes0the  dismal  news  went  from  mouth  to  mouth 
that  the  engine  was  hopelessly  broken,  and  had  left  them 
powerless  to  the  mercy  of  the  storm. 

Immediately  the  ship  swung  around  into  the  -trough  of 
the  sea,  and  was  wallowing  and  floundering  in  the  waves,. 


86  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

This  accident  cast  a  gloom  through  the  hold,  for  it  was  a 
foregone  conclusion,  that  if  assistance  did  not  soon  arrive, 
darkness  would  forever  close  upon  the  Thames.  Every 
one  felt  she  could  not  long  endure  the  awful  pounding  of 
the  waters  upon  her  frail  sides.  The  gale  was  increasing 
every  moment,  to  add  to  their  misery. 

The  signal  of  distress  was  immediately  run  up,  though 
with  little  hopes,  for  but  one  vesssl  was  in  sight,  far  ahead, 
and  a  thick  fog  was  rapidly  closing  in.  Oh  !  how  anxi 
ously  those  unhappy  men  were  hoping  that  their  signal 
had  been  discovered  in  time.  Calmly  the  soldiers  dis 
cussed  their  chances  of  life,  while  the  sailors  gave  up  all 
for  lost,  and  went  below  to  get  beastly  drunk,  upon  the 
iioor  of  the  forecastle.  The  mate,  a  rough,  but  kind- 
hearted  old  tar,  came  below  and  called  for  volunteers  to 
assist  in  saving  the  vessel.  Captain  Lake,  with  several 
soldiers,  among  them  Duncan  McKeller  and  Jack  Chides- 
ter,  Company  E,  who  had  formerly  been  sailors,  offered 
their  services,  and  conYmenced  by  heaving  overboard  a 
part  of  the  cargo.  In  half  an.  hour,  the  fog  parted  a 
little,  and  suddenly  revealed  the  indistinct  form  of  a 
steamer  coming  towards  them. 

Who  can  describe  the  happiness  of  that  moment  ?  The 
tew  men  who  had  dared  to  come  on  deck,  and  were 
clinging  to  the  masts  and  rigging,  raised  a  shout  that 
could  be  heard  far  above  the  roar  of  the  winds  and  waves ; 
while  below,  the  boys  were  fairly  crazy  with  joy. 

"  I  told  ye,  we  was  'nt  going  to  sink  out  here." 

"  Those  are  bully  men  011  the  J&ric-sson,  (ft>r  such  the  ' 
vessel  proved  to  be)  for  coming  back  to  save  us." 

These  were  common  remarks.  By  the  merest  accident, 
signal  had  been  discovered.  Colonel  Littlejohn,  of 
One  Hundred  and  Tenth  New  York,  on  board  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  87  . 

Ericsson,  Was  standing  at  the  stern,  sweeping  the  horizon 
with  his  glass,  when  he  saw  the  flag  run  up,  "  Union 
down,"  and  immediately  the  fog  closed  in.  He  quickly 
spoke  to  the  Captain  of  the  Ericsson,  who  was  inclined 
to  doubt  it,  but  the  Colonel  was  so  positive,  that  the 
ship  was  put  about  and  came  to  the  rescue.  The  Ericsson 
came  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  her  decks  all  covered 
with  men,  while  her  Captain,  standing  upon  the  wheel- 
house,  with  a  trumpet,  endeavored  to  make  himself  heard 
by  the  Thames.  With  great  difficulty  the  two  Captains 
carried  on  the  following  dialogue : 

Captain  of  Ericsson — "  What's  the  matter  ?  "  No  an 
swer. 

Captain  of  Ericsson — "  Wharfs  the  matter  f  " 

Captain  of  Thames — "  Can't  hear  you." 

Captain  of  Ericsson — "  WHAT'S — THE — HATTER  ?  " 

Captain  of  Thames — "  Broke  down." 

Captain  of  Ericsson — "  Throw  out  a  hawser." 

Captain  of  Thames — "  Ha  'nt  got  any." 

Captain  of  Ericsson — "  Go  to  h — II,  then,  with  your 
Cracker  box,"  and  away  went  the  Ei*icsson,  as  the  boy& 
thought,  leaving  them  to  their  fate.  But,  taking  a  wide 
circuit,  she  came  up  to  windward,  and  stopped  her 
wheels.  The  men  who  had  recklessly  climbed  upon  the 
deck  of  the  Thames  could  discover  through  the  spray,  at 
times,  when  their  vessel  rose  on  the  peak  of  a  wave,  how 
the  crew  of  the  friendly  steamer  were  trying  every  means 
to  get  a  communication  between  the  two  vessels.  A  life 
boat  was  lowered,  which  was  soon  swamped,  and  her 
crew  were  pulled  up  on  deck  with  ropes.  Casks,  with 
lines  attached,  were  thrown,  overboard,  but  they  failed  to 
float  away  from  the  ship. 

Finally,  as  the  night  was  closing  in,  the  Captain  of  the 


RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Ericsson  resolved  to  attempt  the  bold  and  perilous  plan 
of  running  close  enough  to  the  Thames  to  throw  a  line 
from,  one  deck  to  the  other,  as  a  last  and  desperate  effort 
to  rescue  the  lives  of  four  hundred  men.  The  large  vessel 
turned  around,  and  under  a  full  head  of  steam,  with  the 
sea  boiling  and  foaming  under  her  wheels,  came  directly 
towards  the  foundering  Thames.  Nearer  and  nearer  she 
came,  until  her  hugh  hulk  nearly  overtopped  the  little 
propeller,  and  every  man  involuntarily  turned  his  back, 
and  shuddered  at  the  expected  crash.  It  was  an  instant 
of  dreadful  suspense.  The  Ericsson  had  glided  safely 
past,  and  a  score  of  hands  grasped  for  the  little  rope  that 
was  thrown  over  the  railing  of  the  Thames.  It  was  se 
cured,  and  a  heavy  hawser  was  hauled  between  the 
vessels.  Every  one  congratulated  themselves  on  their 
hair-breadth  escape.  Not  every  one,  though,  for  the 
Captain  of  the  Thames  lay  prostrate  upon  the  deck,  with 
a  broken  leg. 

It  seems  that  as  the  Ericsson  had  nearly  passed,  a  large 
wave  swung  the  vessels  so  near  together,  that  a  life-boat 
hanging  over  the  stem  of  the  large  ship  was  crushed  like 
an  egg  shell,  and  the  spanker  boom  of  the  propeller, 
carried  away,  which,  as  it  fell,  struck  the  Captain,  knock 
ing  him  dow^n,  and  injuring  him  severely. 

The  hawser  was  firmly  fastened,  and  then  the  Ericsson 
pulled  the  unfortunate  "  cracker  box  "  out  of  the  trough 
of  the  sea. 

During  all  this  time  they  were  drifting  back,  and  when 
they  were  again  under  weigh,  the  storm  increased  with 
redoubled  fury.  Night  found  them  tossing  and  pitching 
in  a  worse  sea  than  ever  before.  The  tempest  became 
more  and  more  violent,  until  at  midnight,  it  had  reached 
it*  height.  The  waves  rolled  terribly,  and  the  old  vessel 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  89 

creaked  and  groaned  as  though  on  the  point  of  dissolu 
tion.  All  watched  the  hawser  with  an  intense  anxiety,  for 
the  old  mate  said  that,  "  should  that  hawser  break,  there 
would  be  no  one  left  to  tell  the  story  of  the  Thames" 

Below  decks,  the  bunks  were  crashing  and  falling. 
The  sick  men  were  rolling  around  on  a  deck  a  thousand 
times  filthier  tkau  the  dirtiest  hog  pen,  each  sea-sick  one 
adcTing  his  quota,  until  the  stench  was  unendurable. 
Many  preferred  to  run  the  risk  of  being  washed  over 
board  on  deck,  than  to  stay  below.  Three  times,  during 
that  night,  the  Captain  of  the  Ericsson  called  for  an  axe 
to  cut  the  hawser,  believing  that  the  Thames  had 
swamped,  for  he  could  not  even  discover  the  tips  of  her 
masts.  Three  times  Providence  stayed  his  hand  long 
enough  for  him  te  see  that  she  was  still  afloat. 

Who  upon  that  ship,*  will  ever  forget  the  awful  gran 
deur  and  sublimity  of  the  scenes  of  that  night  ?  "  God 
rides  upon  the  storm,"  and  in  no  part  of  nature  does  He 
exhibit  His  existence  and  power  so  forcibly,  and  grandly, 
as  in  a  storm  at  sea.  Mingled  feelings  of  awe  and  terror 
were  impressed  upon  the  minds  of  all,  and  impelled  every 
one  to  exert  himself  to  his  utmost,  to  save  his  life  and 
that  of  his  comrades.  Those  who  were  not  too  sick,  tied 
themselves  to  the  rigging,  and  worked  with  a  will  in 
bailing,  and  throwing  overboard  freight  and  coal.  The 
waves  swept  over  the  deck,  and  washed  off  everything, 
even  to  the  galley,  and  poured  immense  streams  of  water 
down  the  hatches. 

"  The  night  is  long  that  never  finds  the  day." 

Thus  passed  the  night  of  the  5th  of  December.  The 
first  rays  of  the  sun  brought  comfort  to  the  miserable 
men,  for  in  daylight  they  thought  they  had  more  security. 


90  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

It  was  a  consolation,  too,  to  look  off  on  the  water  and  see 
the  large  and  beautiful  form  of  the  Ericsson,  so  close  by, 
ready  to  assist  in  every  emergency,  while  towing  them 
rapidly  on  to  their  destination.  It  was  also  pleasant  to 
observe  the  crowds  of  men  upon  her  decks,  apparently 
sympathizing  with  them. 

The  whole  of  the  forenoon,  December  6th,  was  but  a 
repetition  of  the  scenes  of  the  preceding  night,  although 
the  gale  had  partially  subsided.  .  About  1  o'clock,  the  sad 
news  went  through  the  vessel  that  the  hawser  had  parted. 
In  a  few  moments  after  the  accident  had  occurred,  the 
Ericsson  had  altered  her  course,  and  was  coming  direct 
ly  towards  the  Thames,  with  the  intention  of  repeating 
the  dangerous  operation  of  throwing  a  line  to  that  vessel. 
It  was  another  critical  moment,  but  the  attempt  was 
successful,  though  not  without  the  loss  of  another  boat, 
and  a  terrible  fracture  of  all  the  bow  timbers  of  the 
Thames.  They  held  together,  though,  and  that  was  all 
that  was  needed.  During  the  remainder  of  the  day  and 
night  the  gale  continued  to  abate. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  the  men  were  busy  at  work- 
in  cleaning  out  the  hold,  rebuilding  their  bunks,  and 
assisting  to  repair  as  much  as  possible  the  shattered 
vessel.  The  afternoon  of  the  same  day,  the  Ericsson 
stopped  her  wheels,  and  a  small  boat  containing  two 
men  put  out  from  her  side,  and  boarded  the  Thames. 
These  men  proved  to  be  Colonel  Littlejohn,  commanding 
Brigade,  and  Captain  Loper,  the  master  of  the  Ericsson. 
They  went  below  into  the  officers'  cabin,  and  after  some 
severe  words  had  been  passed,  relative  to  "  going  to  sea 
without  a  hawser,"  and  "  trying  to  run  a  steamer  with  a 
second-hand  and  condemned  engine,"  it  was  finally 
agreed,  that  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  water  and  provis- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  91 

ions  on  the  Thames^  as  well  as  her  wrecked  condition, 
the  Ericsson  hasten  to  tow  her  into  Port  Royal. 
They  also  gave  the  information  that  Ship  Island  was  the 
destination  of  the  fleet.  So  the  mystery  was  revealed  to 
the  men  for  the  first  time.  As  the  visitors  were  going 
over  the  side,  into  their  boat,  the  men  gave  them  three 
hearty  cheers,  to  show  them  their  regard  and  gratitude. 
Sunday  night  the  wind  went  down,  the  sky  cleared  up, 
and  the  moon  shone  out  its  brightest. 

Monday,  December  8th,  was  a  warm,  spring-like  day, 
and  the  men  enjoyed  it  much,  breathing  the  pure  air  up 
on  the  deck,  after  the  sickness,  and  filth,  and  peril  of  the 
three  previous  days. 

At  2  o'clock,  the  cry  was  repeated  from  mouth  to 
mouth,  "  land  ho !"  Away  across  the  water,  as  far  as- 
the  eye  could  reach,  could  be  dimly  seen  what  appeared 
to  be  a  long  row  of  umbrellas ;  but  as  the  land  came 
more  fully  in  view,  they  proved  to  be  palmetto  trees.  A 
little  after  sundown,  the  TJiames  slipped  the  hawser  that 
connected  her  with  the  Ericsson^  and  dropped  anchor,  in 
the  harbor  of  Port  Royal. 

The  morning  of  the  9th  broke,  and  revealed  the  beauties 
of  a  southern  landscape.  The  men  feasted  their  eyes 
upon  the  rich  colors  of  the  trees  and  grass,  which  was  a 
great  enjoyment,  after  being  so  long  upon  the  barren  sea. 
They  gazed  with  delight  upon  the  palmetto  forests,  the 
orange  orchards,  the  snug  little  cabins,  the  symmetrical 
forts,  with  the  grand  old  stars  and  stripes  floating  over 
them,  the  smooth  waters  of  the  bay,  dotted  here  and 
there  Avith  white  sails  and  vessels  at  anchor,  the  village 
of  Hilton  Head,  with  its  long  docks  running  far  out  into 
the  water,  and  covered  with  the  dark  forms  of  a  multi- 


92  RECCED  OF  THE  ONE  Hl'.vnRKD 

tude  of  busy  people.     It  was  a  novel  night,  and  fraught 
with  interest. 

Colonel  Smith  went  ashore  early  in  the  morning,  and 
with  the  assistance-  of  Colonel  Littlejohn  and  Captain 
Loper,  secured  the  appointment,  by  the  Post  Command 
ant,  of  a  Board  of  Survey,  to  examine  and  decide  upon  the 
sea-worthiness  of  the  Thames.  This  Board  came  to  the 
vessel  during  the  day,  and  made  a  careful  inspection  of 
every  part  of  the  ship.  They  reported  themselves 
perfectly  astounded  at  the  tacts  they  discovered. 

It  should  be  published  to  the  world,  that  four  hundred 
human  beings  were  sent  to  sea  in  a  vessel  whose  rotten 
sides  could  be  punctured  through  with  one  thrust  of  a 
jack-knife  ;  that  four  hundred  precious  lives  had  but  one 
inch  of  pine  planking  between  themselves  and  a  watery 
grave ;  that  four  hundred  defenders  of  the  Union  were 
jeopardized  in  a  craft  without  a  hawser,  chronometer, 
log-book,  or  steam  pump,  with  but  one  small  and  imper 
fect  compass,  and  only  a  few  useless  charts.  It  is  a 
difficult  matter  to  navigate  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  with  a 
chart  of  the  New  England  coast. 

The  Thames  was  accordingly  condemned,  and  ordered 
back  to  her  owners,  Messrs.  Hubbell  and  Sturgess,  of 
New  York,  as  soon  as  another  ship  could  be  procured. 

When  this  news  came  to  the  ears  of  the  injured  boys, 
they  were  overwhelmed  with  joy,  and  made  the  old  vessel 
ring  with  the  violence  of  their  cheers. 

"  They  prepar'd 

A  rotten  carcase  of  a  boat,  not  rigged. 
Nor  tackle,  sail,  nor  mast ;  the  very  rats 
Instinctively  had  quit  it :  there  they  hoist  us, 
To  cry  to  the  sea  that  roar'd  to  us ;  to  sigh 
To  the  winds,  whose  pity,  sighing-  back  agaiu, 
Did  us  but  loving-  wrong." 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  9o 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Go,  get  aboard ; 

Look  to  thy  bark  ;  I  '11  not  be  long,  before 
I  call  upon  thee. 


WINTER'S  TALK. 

In  few,  they  hurried  us  aboard  a  bark ; 
Bore  us  some  leagues  to  sea. 

TKMPBST. 

• 

December  10th,  the  Ericsson  sailed  in  the  morning  for 
her  destination.  The  boys  were  sorry  to  see  their  old 
friend  disappear  behind  the  water.  Going  ashor3  at  the 
docks,  the  men  were  marched  up  the  smooth  and  hard 
beach,  and  went  in  bathing.  It  was  excellent  sport  to 
ride  on  the  surf,  and  to  run  and  jump  on  terra  firma 
again.  The  rest  of  the  day  was  spent  in  washing  and 
repairing  clothes,  writing,  and  walking  around  to  see  the 
sights.  The  Zouaves,  on  duty  in  the  fort,  made  friends 
with  the  boys,  and  showed  them  the  curiosities  of  the 
town. 

Hilton  Head  is  a  little  village,  entirely  constructed 
since  the  war  began.  Its  stores,  shops,  houses  and  gov 
ernment  buildings,  were  made  of  rough  lumber,  unpaintedv 
and  thrown  around  promiscuously,  without  any  regard  to 
the  formation  of  the  streets.  Fort  Walker  is  in  its  very 
midst.  The  men  having  lived  so  long  upon  wormy 
crackers  and  raw  pork,  distributed  themselves  among  the 
restaurants,  and  consumed  quantities  of  fresh  meat,  vege 
tables  and  excellent  oysters.  Many  laid  in  little  supplies 
of  butter,  cheese  and  cookies. 

For  three  days,  the  Companies  were  landed  on  the 


94  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

beach  for  exercise  every  morning,  and  returned  to  the 
TJiames  at  night.  Upon  going  aboard  the  third  night, 
they  found  a  barque  tied  along  side  of  her.  With  this 
sailing  vessel  they  were  destined  to  finish  their  voyage. 
Three  days  were  spent  in  transferring  the  cargo  from  the 
Thames  to  the  barque,  and  in  constructing  bunks  within 
her  capacious  hold.  Upon  this  vessel  the  men  found  a 
new  state  of  things.  The  U.  S.  barque  Voltigeur  was  a 
staunch  sea-going  vessel,  thoroughly  equipped  and 
manned.  Her  master,  old  Captain  Blye,  was  an  accom 
plished  seaman,  and  was  assiduous  in  providing  every 
comfort  for  the  men. 

The  TJiames  departed  on  the  evening  of  the  16th. 
Adieu,  old  "  cracker-box ;"  nobody  regrets  your  departure. 

Bright  and  early  on  the  morning  of  the  next  day,  a 
steamer  came  and  towed  the  Voltigeur  out  of  the  bay. 
Then  a  cloud  of  canvas  was  spread,  and  the  barque  was 
soon  out  of  sight  of  land. 

If  one  really  wishes  to  enjoy  the  real  poetry  of  a  sea 
voyage,  as  well  as  to  learn  the  art  of  navigation,  he  must 
go  upon  a  sailing  vessel.  It  is  beautiful,  to  look  around 
and  above,  and  see  nothing  but  white  sails  filled  by  the 
breeze  in  every  direction.  It  is  wonderful,  to  observe  the 
skill  and  agility  with  which  the  sailors  run  over  the 
rigging,  and  manipulate  the  sails.  Upon  the  Voltigeur, 
the  men  were  never  tired  of  looking  at  these  things,  even 
at  times  when  the  weather  was  stormy. 

The  voyage  to  Ship  Island  was  one  of  such  monotony 
as  to  require  the  noting  of  but  a  few  incidents.  After 
crossing  the  Gulf  stream,  with  its  warm  water  and  float 
ing  weeds,  they  came  in  sight  of  Eleuthera  and  Abaco. 
These  islands,  of  the  Bahama  group,  are  low,  with  little 
appearance  of  vegetation.  December  22d,  they  run  on 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  95 

what  arc  called  the  Bahama  Banks.  Here  the  water  was 
of  a  light  green  color,  and  so  shallow  as  to  require 
frequent  sounding.  At  night,  they  lay  at  anchor,  for  fear 
of  running  aground.  On  the  following  morning,  with 
the  aid  of  a  good  breeze,  they  came  in  sight  of  the  island 
of  Cuba,  where  they  could  distinctly  see  trees  and  rocks 
upon  the  mountain  ranges.  From  here  they  sighted, 
respectively,  the  light-houses  of  Key  West  and  Tortugas, 
and  hailed  the  ship  Southard^  ten  days  from  "New  York. 

Christmas  day  upon  the  waters.  How  differently  situ 
ated  are  the  men  from  what  they  were  a  year  ago  !  Then, 
they  enjoyed  the  society  and  comforts  of  home,  feasting 
and  visiting  upon  this  holiday.  Now,  they  are  thousands 
of  miles  awray  from  their  native  places,  with  only  a  half  a 
pint  of  beans  and  a  few  hard  tack  for  dinner,  and  afraid 
to  accost  a  comrade  with,  "  I  wish  you  a  merry  Christ 
mas,"  for  fear  of  injuring  his  feelings. 

December  27th,  the  Voltiyeur  came  in  sight  of  Ship 
Island,  but  owing  to  head  winds  was  obliged  to  tack 
back  and  forth  during  the  day  and  night,  without 
making  much  headway.  The  next  day,  in  the  morning, 
the  vessel  arrived  within  half  a  mile  of  the  sandy  and 
desolate  shore.  Before  they  had  time  to  cast  anchor,  a 
small  boat  containing  the  Post  Adjutant  of  the  island 
came  out,  and  directed  Captain  Blye  to  proceed  forth 
with  to  New  Orleans,  whither  Banks'  expedition  had 
gone.  Notwithstanding  the  men  were  anxious  to  get  off 
the  crowded  ship,  yei  this  order  was  received  with  silent 
satisfaction  and  approval ;  for  one  look  upon  that  bleak 
and  barren  island,  had  struck  a  horror  to  every  breast,  of 
living  upon  such  a  desert.  Immediately  the  ship  put 
about,  but  had  gone  but  a  short  distance,  when,  to  their 
great  annoyance,  "  the  wind  lost  its  breath,"  and  they 


96  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

were  in  a  dead  calm.  The  waters  became  placid,  and 
presented  one  vast  mirror ;  not  a  wave  or  a  ripple  to 
disturb  its  peaceful  breast.  In  the  quiet  of  that  evening, 
Thomas  Dolan,  a  member  of  Company  H,  died  of  fever. 
An  officer  of  his  Company,  in  writing  of  this  sad 
event,  said : 

"  He  was  buried  at  sea  at  the  midnight  hour.  It  was  one  of  the 
most  solemn  burials  I  ever  witnessed :  he  was  buried  with  military 
honors.  The  moon  and  stars  were  shining  with  more  than  their  usual 
brilliancy,  and  at  twelve  o'clock  the  solemn  cortege  moved  from  the 
bow  of  our  vessel  to  the  after-deck,  where  lay  our  deceased  brother 
soldier,  to  bear  his  body  amidships,  where  the  last  rites  and  ceremo 
nies  were  to  be  performed  by  our  Chaplain.  The  sound  of  muffled 
drums  and  the  music  was  very  impressive ;  it  was  a  scene  that  will 
never  be  forgotten  by  those  who  witnessed  it ;  the  exercises  consisted 
of  reading  the  scriptures,  prayer,  remarks,  singing,  &c.  The  follow 
ing  hymn  was  sung,  commencing  thus : 

'Unveil  thy  bosom,  faithful  tomb, 
Take  this  new  treasure  to  thy  trust.' 

After  singing  the  first  verse,  the  body  was  given  to  the  great  deep, 
and  then  the  balance  of  the  hymn  was  sung  by  the  choir ;  after  which 
there  were  three  volleys  fired  by  the  guard,  then  followed  the  bene 
diction,  which  closed  the  mournful  scene." 

On  the  morning  of  the  next  day  the  wind  breezed  up 
a  little,  and  the  vessel  passed  out  of  sight  of  Ship  Island. 
December  30th  and  31st,  continued  the  voyage  with 
strong  head  winds,  until  at  ten  o'clock  of  the  latter  day, 
the  streaks  of  muddy  water  in  the  sea,  disclosed  the  fact 
that  they  were  near  the  mouth  of,  the  Mississippi  river, 
and  very  soon  they  sighted  the  light-house  off  South 
West  Pass.  The  vessel  hove  to  and  raised  a  signal  for  a 
pilot,  which  was  soon  answered  by  the  appearance  of  a 
spruce  little  yacht.  She  came  rapidly  bounding  over 
the  billows  until  she  had  arrived  opposite  the  barque, 


ANB  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  07 

when  a  small  .boat  was  dropped  from  her  stern  and  rowed 
towards  the  ship. 

For  days 'before,  the  boys  had  been  indulging  in  bets 
upon  the  eolor  of  hair  and  eyes,  and  height  of  the  pilot 
who  should  take  charge  of  the  vessel  from  the  Passes  to 
Newr  Orleans.  So  a  crowd  of  interested  soldiers  were 
hanging  over  the  rails  of  the  Voltigcur,  staring  at  the 
man  who  came  up  the  ladder  on  the  deck,  for  then  their 
wagers  were  to  be  decided.  In  a  moment,  orders  rang 
out  sharp  and  quick,  from  under  the  oil-cloth  cap  of  the 
pilot,  and  the  vessel  was  surging  towards  the  Pass. 
When  but  a  short  distance  out  from  the  marshy  land,  the 
vessel  was  anchored  and  all  sail  taken  in,  to  await  a  tug 
boat  from  the  city. 

The  scenery  here  was  not  particularly  inviting.  Two 
long  and  narrow  tongues  of  swampy  land,  between  which 
was  the  river,  stretched  far  out  into  the  sea,  rendering  it 
difficult  to  distinguish,  except  from  the  bright  green 
color  of  the  rushes,  which  was  land  and  which  was  water. 
On  the  extremity  of  one  of  these  was  a  light-house  and 
telegraph  office ;  on  the  other  point  was  a  settlement  of 
some  half  a  dozen  dwellings,  called  Pilot  Town.  These 
houses  were  built  on  piles,  about  ten  feet  above  the  marsh. 
That  afternoon  the  Companies  were  mustered  for  pay 
ment,  on  the  deck,  by  Colonel  Smith. 

New  Year's  was  another  unpleasant  holiday.  Death 
was  in  their  midst,  and  another  funeral  was  held.  The 
body  of  Martin  Skillman,  Company  E,  was  taken  in  a 
boat  to  a  small  mud  *  island  at  the  mouth  of  the  river,  and 
buried.  To  add  to  the  despondency  of  the  men,  the  pilot 
brought  the  sad  news  of  a  defeat  to  General  Burnside, 
at  Fredericksburgh,  and  the  rupture  of  the  President's 
Cabinet.  Their  unpleasant  and  weary  situation,  contrib 
uted  to  the  sum  of  human  misery. 


98  EECOED  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

A  tug-boat  came  on  the  morning  of  January  2d,  and  in 
company  with  three  other  vessels,  they  started  up  the 
river.     Close    alongside    the    Voltiyeur  was  fastened   a 
schooner  from  Matanzas,  with  the  most  nondescript  cargo 
of  men,  beasts,  birds  and  fruits  that  could  ever  have  been 
collected.      Oranges,   turtles,   bananas,    roosters,    limes, 
parrots,  babies,  cabbages  and  pi^s,  were  scattered  over 
the  decks  in  astonishing  confusion. 
"  How  are  you,  Noah's  Ark  ?" 
"  Say,  is  that  Uncle  Abe's  menagerie  ?" 
"  Where  did  you  get  all  them  calamities  ?" 
Such  were  the  jokes  which  the  men  flung  over  to  them, 
l>ut  failed  to  elicit  any  reply  from  the  swarthy  and  dirty 
Spaniards. 

Slowly  the  powerful  tow-boat  pulled  the  vessels  against 
the  rapid,  muddy  current,  while  her  tall  pipes  were  belch 
ing  clouds  of  dense  black  smoke,  which  overshadowed 
the  surrounding  country;  and  her  escape  tubes  puffed 
out  columns  of  white  steam,  at  monotonous  intervals. 
Flocks  of  sea  gulls  hovered  around  the  vessels,  making 
the  air  discordant  with  their  screams.  In  a  few  hours 
they  were  out  of  the  regions  of  cane  brake,  and  then 
could  be  seen  an  occasional  cabin  built  of  rushes  or  slabs, 
and  a  few  scrubby  trees.  As  the  afternoon  wore  away, 
the  scenery  became  more  attractive.  Cypress  and  mag 
nolia  forests  lined  the  shores,  filled  with  all  the  luxuriance 
and  variety  of  southern  vegetation.  Alligators  were 
frequently  seen  wallowing  in  the  mud  of  the  swamps. 
At  sundown — the  heavy  boom  of  a  cannon  revealed  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Jackson,  while  the  steamer  stopped  to 
permit  an  officer  to  examine  whether  the  character  of  the 
vessels  was  peaceful  or  belligerent.  This  ceremony  was 
soon  ever,  and  a  few  miles  more  had  been  passed,  when 
another  stoppage  was  made  at  Quarantine,  for  a  Surgeon 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  "  90 

to  come  aboard  and  enquire  into  the  sanitary  condition  of 
the  troops.  The  ordeal  was  safely  passed,  and  they 
escaped  the  dread  necessity  of  being  confined  at  Quaran 
tine. 

The  men  were  up  bright  and  early  in  the  morning,  to 
again  enjoy  the  novelty  of  southern  scenery.  During 
the  night,  they  had  passed  into  a  rich  cultivated  region. 
Broad  and  level  fields  of  sugar  cane  and  corn  stretched 
back  a  mile  from  the  levees  to  the  cypress  swamps,  their 
green  surfaces  interspersed  with  gangs  of  negroes — a 
queer  sight  for  January.  Now  and  then  a  brick  sugar 
mill,  with  its  tall  smoke  stacks,  reminded  one  of  a 
Northern  foundry ;  square  two-story  mansions,  with 
verandas  running  all  around  them,  surrounded  with  vines, 
tropical  shrubbery,  and  orange  orchards,  laden  with 
golden  fruit.  Such  were  the  inviting  features  of  a  Louis 
iana  landscape. 

At  nine  o'clock,  the  spires  and  domes  of  New  Orleans 
were  in  view.  A  short  distance  below  the  city,  the  Vol- 
tigeur  cast  her  anchor.  In  a  little  while,  the  barque  was 
surrounded  by  aquatic  hucksters.  Pies,  oranges,  cigars 
and  cakes,  were  quickly  exchanged  for  Yankee  shinplas- 
ters,  while  the  men  believed  they  never  had  enjoyed  such 
luxuries  before.  The  Colonel  went  to  the  city,  and  did 
not  return  till  evening,  and  then  he  came  with  a  tug  to 
convey  them  above  the  city  seven  miles,  to  the  village  of 
Carrollton. 

The  decks  and  rigging  of  the  Voltigeur  were  covered 
with  blue  coats,  as  she  passed  the  "  Crescent  City."  A 
thousand  items  of  interest  were  commented  upon  by  the 
men.  The  levees,  crowded  for  miles  with  steamboats — 
the  river,  filled  with  gunboats  and  ships-of-war — the 
French  market — the  Cathedral,  with  its  tall  steeples — La- 


100  KECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Fayettc  square,  with  its  equestrian  statue  of  Jackson — 
the  dark  granite  walls  of  the  Custom  House — the  docks, 
lined  with  ware-houses  and  cotton  presses — were  all  suc 
cessively  passed,  and  New  Orleans  was  far  behind  them 
in  the  horizon. 

After  sundown,  the  Voltigeur  tied  up  to  the  bank  at 
Carrollton.  Here,  for  the  first  time,  they  heard  of  the 
whereabouts  of  the  balance  of  the  Regiment,  who  had 
sailed  upon  the  other  vessels.  The  three  Companies  that 
had  sailed  upon  the  Atlantic,  were  encamped  near  this 
place.  Many  of  the  men  of  Companies  D,  Gl  and  F, 
came  down  from  their  camps,  upon  hearing  of  the  arrival 
of  their  Colonel  with  four  Companies,  and  had  a  joyful 
meeting  with  their  old  comrades. 

The  next  day,  January  4th,  with  bag  and  baggage 
they  left  the  Voltigeur^  marched  through  the  town,  and 
pitched  their  tents,  with  those  who  had  previously  arrriv- 
ed,  in  Camp  Mansfield. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  I  Ol? 


CHAPTER    X. 

Though  the  seas  threaten,  they  are  merciful ; 

I  have  curs'tl  them  without  cause. 

TEMPEST. 

And  for  the  rest  o1  the  fleet, 
Which  I  diepere'd,  they  all  have  met  again. 

IBID. 

Leaving  the  men  that  left  Fortress  Monroe  on  the 
27iameSj  in  a  pleasant  camp,  and  in  comfortable  quarters 
at  Carrollton,  let  us  go  back  and  learn  of  the  fortunes  of 
their  comrades,  who  left  on  the  Atlantic  and  Arago^  at 
the  commencement  of  the  voyage.  These  vesssls  were 
large  and  powerful,  and  could  not  so  easily  be  made  play 
things  for  the  storm.  Their  sea-worthiness  was  fully 
tested,  yet  they  safely  rode  the  gale. 

During  the  violence  of  the  tempest,  the  fleet  became- 
separated,  and  on  the  morning  of  the  6-th,  the  only  vessels 
in  sight  of  each  other,  out  of  the  fifteen  transports,  were 
the  flag  ship,  and  the  two  vessels  containing  our  men. 

The  fleet  sailed  in  two  columns,  one  led  by  the  Baltic^ 
the  other  by  the  Atlantic..  The  storm  having  abated, 
though  the  surges  were  running  fearfully  high,  Captain, 
Eldridge,  master  of  the  Atlantic,  and  Colonel  Chapin,  of. 
the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New  York,  were  signaled 
to  go  on  board  the  flag  ship,  between  half  and  a  quarter 
of  a  mile  distant.  The  signal  was  obeyed.  *A  life  boat 
was  lowered,  and  the  task  of  propelling  it  over  the  surg 
ing  waters  entrusted  to  the  strong  arms  and  determined- 
wills  of  four  sturdy  tars.  Their  own  lives  and  the  lives-- 
of  the  gallant  Colonel  and  Captain  were  placed  in  their 


102  11ECOKD  OF  THE  OXE  HUNDRED 

"hands.  A  swell  brought  the  little  boat  almost  to  the  top 
of  the  great  ship,  when  Colonel  Chapin  and  Captain  El- 
dridge  stepped  into  the  stern,  the  latter  instantly  grasping 
the  helm.  Stout  men  with  well  plied  oars  moved  her 
with  difficulty  along. 

As  the  little  boat  struggled  with  fierce  Neptune  in  his 
wrath,  the  spectacle  was  amazingly  fearful  and  grand. 
As  oft  as  she  perched,  for  an  instant,  upon  the  top-most 
surge,  and  then  was  buried  beneath  the  waves,  subdued 
voices  from  the  almost  breathless  crowd  tremblingly 
uttered,  "  Oh  !  there  she  goes."  "  She  is  lost."  "  She  is 
lost."  Destiny  willed  her  mission  success  ;  and  like  the 
-dove,  sent  forth  on  an  errand  of  mercy,  upon  the  waters 
of  the  Deluge,  she  at  length  returned  to  the  Ark.  Im 
mediately  the  Atlantic  turned  back  for  a  few  miles,  in 
search  of  the  scattered  fleet,  when  presently  all  moved 
slowly  on.  The  Arac/o  and  Atlantic,  up  to  this  time, 
kept  well  together. 

A  greater  portion  of  the  remainder  of  the  voyage,  the 
weather  was  fine,  warm  even  as  a  northern  summer — the 
sea  comparatively  smooth — the  winds  mostly  favorable, 
enabling  them  to  make  seven  to  ten  knots  per  hour. 

On  Tuesday,  the  9th,  the  Arayo  sighted  land  off  Flori 
da  coast.  Farther  than  the  eye  could  reach,  or  unaided 
vision  extend,  was  presented  one  unbroken  forest,  not 
apparently  heavy  timbered,  but  more  like  the  scrubs  and 
smaller  growth  of  trees,  such  as  are  found  in  the  marshes 
and  low  lands  of  the  North.  Numerous  light-houses, 
beacons  to  the  weary  mariner  upon  the  bosom  of  the 
deep,  viewed  with  spy-glasses  in  the  dim  distance,  pierc 
ing,  with  towering  summits,  the  very  clouds,  were  objects 
•of  interest.  On  the  10th,  they  made  Cape  Sable  and 
Key  West,  and  the  day  following  were  fairly  in  the  Gulf. 

At  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  a  soldier  of  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  103 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Eighth  New  York,  was  buried 
at  sea,  with  impressive  ceremony.  The  next  day  brought 
them  to  Ship  Island.  A  detention  of  a  couple  of  hours, 
during  which  time  another  soldier  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Twenty-Eighth  Avas  buried — being  taken  to  the 
shore — and  the  noble  craft  was  steaming  for  the  Delta  of 
the  mighty  Mississippi. 

On  the  14th,  they  anchored  at  Quarantine,  nearly  mid 
way  between  New  Orleans  Tind  the  mouth  of  the  river. 
Here  an  officer  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty-Eighth 
New  York,  a  young  Lieutenant,  who  was  dangerously 
sick  on  leaving  the  Fortress,  and  who  died  on  the 
passage,  was  taken  off.  His  body  was  embalmed  by 
Surgeon  Andrews,  of  his  Regiment,  and  sent  from  Quar 
antine  to  his  friends  in  Poughkeepsie,  New  York. 

The  Atlantic,  making  also  a  pleasant  trip  after  leaving 
Hatteras,  and  with  no  incident  of  special  interest,  reached 
Ship  Island  on  the  16th  of  December.  Here  the  men  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  with  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixteenth,  went  into  camp.  Many  parts  of  the  little 
island,  which  is  narrow,  and  but  a  few  miles  long,  were 
covered  with  tents,  scarcely  whiter  than  the  sand. 

This  island  is  entirely  unique  in  appearance.  Upon  it,, 
one  walks  in  sand,  sleeps  in  sand,  eats  sand:  has  sand  in 
his  shoes,  in  his  clothes,  in  his  bed  :  sand  in  his  coffee,  his 
bread  and  his  meat :  sand  within  and  sand  without.  A 
few  small  trees,  on  the  north  eastern  part  of  the  island,, 
are  the  only  green  or  living  things,  of  native  growth,  to 
be  seen. 

After  drilling  for  a  few  days,  and  much  rolling  in  the 
sand,  the  steamer  Pocahontas  took  them  off  this  desolate 
and  God-forsaken  island. 

On  Christmas  day,,  they  entered  the  South- West-Pass,, 
the  innermost  passage  of  the  mouths  of  the  great  river,., 


104  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

which  with  their  spoils  of  alluvial  deposit,  stretch,  some 
thing  in  the  shape  of  a  bird's  claw,  into  the  Gulf.  Here 
novel  objects  attracted  their  view.  At  first,  on  entering 
the  river,  they  saw  only  light  muddy  water,  and  long 
sedgy  bslfiks,  mere  beds  of  tall  rushes.  Then,  long  low 
chores,  beyond  which  lies  an  immense  and  monotonous 
prospect  of  alternate  land  and  water.  After  rushes  and 
£ong  low  shores,  come  trees,  drift-wood,  perhaps  a  stray 
•alligator,  his  body  submerged,  Ms  head  resting  on  the 
trunk  of  a  tree  moored  by  accident  in  the  mud  of  the 
•bank.  Then,  little  lonely  houses,  built  of  rushes  or  of 
wood,  in  shape  like  those  drawn  by  the  slate  pencils  of 
-•childhood.  In  front  of  them,  occasional  black  and  white 
humanity,  the  latter  invariably  offering  welcome  by 
waving  hands  or  handkerchiefs,  the  former  sometimes 
emulating  their  example,  but  in  most  instances  sullen  and 
stolid.  Presently  appeared  little  houses,  little  groves  of 
orange -trees  laden  with  fruit,  fields  of  sugar  cane,  presses, 
manufactories  and  tall  chimneys,  negroes  at  work  in  the 
field  and  at  the  presses.  Pilot  Town,  the  quandam  rebel 
•Forts  Jackson  and  St.  Phillip,  are  passed,  bringing  to 
tnind  one  of  the  best  naval  fights  and  victories  of  the 
war. 

The  dreaded  ordeal  of  Quarantine  is  over.  Anchoring 
a  few  hours  in  the  stream  opposite  New  Orleans,  our  men 
npOH  the  Arago  larfded  at  Carrollton,  on  the  26th  of 
December. 

The  three  weeks  stay  of  Companies  A,  B  and  C  at 
•Quarantine,  was  anything  but  agreeable.  Infectious 
'diseases  upon  the  ship  made  their  detention,  by  Quaran 
tine  regulations,  absolutely  unavoidable.  Several  of  the 
Regiment  died  in  the  Hospital,  of  ship  fever  contracted 
*<m  the  passage. 

The    country   about  Quarantine    is  a  dead  level — a 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  105 

perfect  swamp — with  only  here  and  there  a  spot  sufficient 
ly  elevated  to  be  suitable  for  a  dwelling.  The  tedium 
was  somewhat  relieved  by  various  sports,  among  which 
"  bee  hunting  "  appeared  to  be  the  most  exciting.  The 
most  delicious  fruits  of  this  tropical  climate'  were  in 
perfection,  exceedingly  luscious,  and  tempting  to  behold. 

The  quiet  of  a  dull  camp,  upon  a  lonely  and  uninviting 
spot,  was  by  no  means  relieved  by  the  unpleasant  reflec 
tions  and  dismal  forebodings  of  the  men,  concerning  the 
safety  of  Colonel  Smith  and  the  six  Companies  upon  the 
Thames.  The  last  that  had  been  seen  of  that  vessel,  she 
was  lying  helpless  in  the  gale.  Since  then,  not  a  word 
had  been  heard  concerning  her,  and  as  day  after  day 
passed  away,  the  men  began  to  give  up  to  the  sad  conclu 
sion  that  their  Colonel  and  most  of  the  Regiment,  had 
met  a  watery  grave.  One  of  the  New  Orleans  papers 
even  announced  that  the  propeller  Thames  was  undoubt 
edly  lost  at  sea. 

On  the  evening  of  January  2d,  an  incident  occurred 
which  very  much  quieted  their  fearful  apprehensions,  and 
enlivened  the  monotony  of  their  gloomy  abode.  A  tug 
boat,  coming  up  the  river  with  several  ships  in  tow, 
stopped,  as  was  the  custom,  opposite  the  Quarantine 
station,  to  permit  the  health  officer  to  examine  the  vessels. 
Although  it  was  quite  dark,  yet  one  of  our  men  discover 
ed  that  one  vessel  was  laden  with  troops.  A  man,  shaping 
his  hands  in  the  form  of  a  trumpet,  shouted  out : 

"  Hallo  !  what  troops  are  those  ?" 

Instantly  the  reply  came  back  : 

"  A  part  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New 
York." 

The  joyful  news  flew  among  the  barracks,  and  out  the 
men  rushed  and  indulged  in  the  most  vociferous  cheers, 


106  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

opening  at  the  same  time  a  running  conversation  between 
ship  and  shore. 

"Where  in  the  d 1  is  the  Thames'!"  they  inquired. 

"Played  out." 

"  Where  have  you  been  all  this  time  ?" 

"Port  Royal  harbor." 

They  asked  for  the  safety  of  this,  that,  and  the  other, 
until  their  voices  died  away  in  the  distance. 

On  the  3d  of  January,  the  boys  at  Quarantine  were 
ordered  to  pack  up,  and  at  1 1  o'clock  in  the  evening  went 
on  board  the  steamer  Laurel  Hill.  A  little  past  12 
o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  she  steamed  up  the 
the  river,  reaching  before  noon  the  battle  ground,  some 
six  miles  below  New  Orleans.  Remaining  on  board  for 
the  night,  on  the  following  morning,  with  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Twenty-Eighth  New  York,  they  went  into 
camp. 

They  now  rested  upon  historic  ground,  upon  the 
identical  spot  where  the  hero  of  New  Orleans  fought  the 
British  under  Pakenham,  on  the  8th  of  January,  1815. 
Traces  of  the  low  earthworks  which  supported,  the  cotton 
bales  behind  which  Jackson  fought,  and  the  old  canal 
which  he  caused  to  be  dug  from  the  river,  for  a  mile  to 
the  rear,  turning  a  stream  of  water  from  the  Mississippi 
into  the  swamp,  still  remain.  A  number  of  trees,  with 
limbs  cut  off  by  British  shot ;  "  the  old  Spanish  house, 
deeply  enveloped  in  shrubbery,  occupied  as  Head-quarters 
by  General  Jackson,"  who  with  glass  in  hand,  from  the 
upper  window,  "  witnessed  the  approach  of  the  enemy," 
the  spot  where  Pakenham  fell,  were  all  of  more  or  less 
interest  to  the  men. 

The  battle-field  is  marked  by  a  plain,  unfinished  shaft 
of  Missouri  lime-stone,  upon  a  brick  foundation. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  107 

An  old  Ethiop  exhibited  for  sale  bullets  and  other 
relics  "  picked  up  "  by  himself,  as  he  avowed,  upon  the 
battle-ground. 

Another  ancient  African,  to  a  crowd  of  interested 
listeners,  gave  an  amusing  account  of  the  appearance  of 
the  first  gunboat  up  the  river,  when  General  Butler 
took  possession  of  New  Orleans. 

"  Yo'  see,"  said  he,  "  ole  Gen  '1  Lovel,  wid  eight  tou- 
sand  troops,  was  camped  on  dis  yere  bery  spot.  One 
momin'  I  went  down  troo  de  camps  to  de  levee,  and  as  I 
stood  dar  lookin',  I  seed  a  boat  comin'  round  de  bend. 
My !  dat  boat  made  de  orfullest  'citemeut  in  dat  crowd 
you  eber  see.  It  kept  comin'  along,  puffin'  away,  and 
made  ebery  body  in  camp  run  ebery  which  way.  De 
rebs  dey  commenced  firin'  dere  guns,  but  de  gumboat  jist 
paid  no  'tention  to  dem  'tall,  but  come  'long  mindin'  her 
own  biz'ness.  When  de  gumboat  got  near  de  camp,  she 
drop't  tree  or  four  shell  among  'em,  jest  as  easy.  Whew, 
bang !  Whew,  bang  !  and  den  yer  orter  seed  dem  fellers 
run  to  de  swamps.  Dis  nigger  jest  lays  down  on  de 
ground,  and  rolls,  and  larfs,  to  see  how  dose  rebs  did 
skedaddle. 

"  De  gumboat  nebber  stops,  but  went  up  to  de  city, 
and  putty  soon  come  back  agin,  and  met  de  rest  ob  de 
boats,  when  de  men  went  'shore,  looked  ober  de  tings  dey 
left ;  took  all  de  money  and  watches  out  ob  de  officers' 
trunks,  and  den  commenced  to  smash  de  big  guns,  and 
burn  up  de  camp.  Dis  ole  nigger  toted  off  some  of  dose 
traps,  you'd  better  b'leve." 

The  men  here  -did  picket  duty  along  the  river,  and  on 
the  road  leading  from  the  city.  They  were  required  to 
examine  passes  upon  all  sail  boats,  or  luggers,  which 
came  from  below  with  oysters  and  fruit,  and  returned 


108  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

with  groceries  and  stores,  to  see  that  there  was  nothing 
contraband  on  board  the  little  crafts. 

Many  nice  suppers  of  fresh  oysters,  and  line  oranges 
for  dessert  after  dinner,  were  had  on  sundry  picket  posts. 

A  sergeant,  with  a  squad  of  men,  was  sent  across  the 
river  a  number  of  miles,  to  keep  a  gang  of  refractory 
blacks  upon  a  sugar  plantation  from  strolling  about  the 
city,  and  from  going  outside  the  lines. 

The  boys  were  paid  at  this  camp,  and  facilities  afforded 
for  obtaining  every  luxury  that  heart  could  wish. 

Notwithstanding  the  lightness  of  the  duty,  the  comfor 
table  quarters,  and  good  fare,  it  was  found  that  two  of 
the  men,  David  Porter,  of  Company  B,  and  Delos  Leon 
ard,  of  Company  C,  when  a  new  guard  was  sent  to  their 
relief,  had  unceremoniously  relieved  themselves,  and 
taken  their  departure  for  parts  unknown. 

At  3  o'clock  of  Tuesday,  January  20th,  the  three  Com 
panies  left  Camp  Chalmette,  to  enter  upon  new  duties,  as 
described  in  a  subsequent  chapter. 


AND  FOL'BTEEXTU   RKGIMKNT.  109 


CHAPTEU    XL 

Hie  thee  to  thy  charge ; 
Use  careful  watch,  choose  trusty  sentinels. 

KINO  RICHAKD  III. 

Carrollton  is  a  place  of  about  fifteen  hundred  inhabi 
tants,  situated  on  the  east  bank  of  the  Mississippi  river, 
seven  miles  above  New  Orleans.  It  has  all  the  quiet, 
cozy,  neat  appearance  of  one  of  our  northern  country 
villages,  yet,  as  seen  through  northern  eyes,  the  style  of 
architecture,  and  the  habits  and  dress  of  the  people,  seem 
queer  and  foreign. 

The  most  observable  thing  in  all  Louisiana,  is  the 
almost  universal  use  of  the  French  language,  combined 
with  the  French  peculiarities  of  rapid  gesticulation,  and 
courteous  manners.  The  descendants  of  the  early  colon 
ists  are  called  Creoles,  and  are  the  most  numerous  and 
wealthy  part  of  the  population  of  the  State.  They  retain 
with  great  tenacity  their  native  language  and  customs, 
against  all  Yankee  innovation;  and  thus  it  is,  that 
strangers  can  not  avoid  the  impression  that  they  are  in  a 
foreign  country.  Creole  citizens  and  American  soldiers 
look  upon  each  other  as  natural  enemies.  Our  men  soon 
found  that  they  were  treated  by  the  people  with  a  great 
deal  of  external  politeness,  yet  with  a  certain  expres 
sion  of  tone  and  manner,  which  went  to  say  in  so  many 
plain  words,  "  we  despise  you."  The  men  regarded  them 
as  treacherous  and  deceitful,  and  were  more  bold  and 
uncivil  in  exhibiting  reciprocal  sentiments.  This  knowl 
edge  of  their  character  was  soon  obtained  by  the  One 


110  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  among  the  inhabi 
tants  of  Carrollton,  and  was  of  service  to  them 
afterwards. 

Every  day  curiosity  impelled  numbers  of  our  men  to 
walk  to  the  village,  a  mile  from  the  camp,  and  on  street 
corners,  and  in  the  shops,  observe  the  peculiarities  of  the 
people.  Such  was  their  relaxation,  after  the  tedium  and 
ennui  of  a  sea  voyage. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  of  January,  it  was  currently 
reported  that  General  Banks,  the  new  commander  of  the 
Gulf  Department,  was  to  visit,  that  day,  the  troops 
'encamped  at  Carrollton.  In  order  to  meet  him  Avith 
suitable  evidences  of  their  respect,  the  Regiment  was 
drawn  up  in  line  near  the  camp,  in  its  best  dress,  to  await 
his  coming.  The  afternoon  passed,  but  General  Banks 
did  not  pass.  So  the  men  passed  to  their  quarters.  Evi 
dently  somebody  had  perpetrated  a  wretched  joke. 

Everything  seemed  to  indicate  that  Carrollton  was  to 
be  a  permanent  camp  for  some  time,  so  they  commenced 
their  drills,  and  parades,  and  labored  to  make  a  comforta 
ble  camp  of  the  low  and  swampy  grounds.  The  adage 
that  "  appearances  are  often  deceptive "  is  as  true, 
perhaps,  in  military,  as  in  any  other  calling  in  life. 

The  lumber  had  just  been  drawn  and  piled  up,  to  be 
distributed  to  the  Companies  for  tent  floors,  when  an 
order  was  read  to  "  be  ready  to  march  at  a  moment's 
notice."  This  order  was  received  with  shouts  of  laugh 
ter,  and  cries  of  "  sold  again."  Tents  went  down, 
wagons  were  loaded,  knapsacks  packed,  when  the  men, 
sitting  around  camp  fires,  story-telling  and  smoking  their 
pipes,  awaited  further  instructions.  The  weary  watching 
and  wakefulness  of  chilly  night  at  length  became  tedious. 
The  hands  of  their  watches  were  pointing  to  the  first  few 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  Ill 

minutes  of  the  7th  of  January,  when  the  Regiment  was 
tramping  towards  the  river. 

To  those  who  had  never  before  seen  a  Mississippi 
steamboat,  it  was  a  source  of  great  wonderment  that 
such  an  ugly  piece  of  architecture*  could  be  made  service 
able  for  any  purpose.  The  lower  decks  are  but  little 
elevated  from  the  water,  and  are  entirely  open,  so  that 
the  boilers  are  exposed  to  view.  The  cabins  are  up 
stairs,  and  are  sustained  by  props  below.  Above  these 
is  another  story,  and  still  higher,  at  a  dizzy  elevation,  is 
the  pilot  house.  Two  slim  and  tall  smoke-stacks  rise 
out  of  the  decks,  well  in  front.  The  wheels  are  very 
large  and  out  of  proportion  to  the  boat.  The  huge  bell, 
and  filigree  decorations,  serve  to  make  up  the  picture  of  a 
western  steamboat.  The  Sattle  Robinson  was  an  exag 
gerated  specimen  of  this  class  of  vessels,  and  when,  in 
the  bright  moonlight,  the  men  gazed  upon  her  marvelous 
proportions,  they  expressed  surprise  that  "the  poor  thing 
did  not  tip  over."  But  when  her  high  pressure  engines 
began  to  move,  accompanied  with  puffs,  wheezes,  and 
snorts,  they  were  still  more  astounded  at  the  "  antics  of 
the  blasted  craft," 

On  such  a  vessel  the  Regiment  was  moving  rapidly 
down  the  river.  In  a  short  half  hour,  the  steamboat  tied 
up  at  the  docks  at  Algiers,  which  is  a  town  directly 
opposite  New  Orleans,  bearing  the  same  relation  to  that 
city,  that  Brooklyn  does  to  New  York. 

Amid  the  bustle  and  hurry  of  moving  off  and  unload 
ing  the  boat,  it  was  made  known  to  the  Regiment  that  it 

O  £2 

was  detailed  to  guard  a  rail  road  running  out  from 
Algiers,  known  as  the  New  Orleans,  Opelousas  and  Great 
Western  Rail  Road.  Brashear  City  w#s  its  western 
terminus.  A  few  hours  more,  and  the  long  train  of  cars, 


112  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

standing  upon  the  track  near  the  levee,  was  loaded  and 
slowly  passing  through  the  town  to  the  country  beyond. 

The  road  was  conducted  by  the  military  authorities, 
and  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment  was 
directed  to  guard  its  whole  length  of  eighty  miles.  Here 
was  a  novel  and  interesting  duty  to  perform,  and  the  men 
were  highly  pleased  with  their  new  employment.  As 
the  train  whirled  forward,  on  the  morning  of  January 
7th,  the  Companies  were  dropped  at  the  stations  in  the 
following  order : 

Company  F,  at  Jefferson,  a  little  place  of  some  three 
or  four  houses  and  a  small  church,  nine  miles  from  New 
Orleans,  on  the  Mississippi  river.  The  Company  pitched 
tents  in  an  orange  orchard,  between  the  depot  and  an  old 
dwelling  house,  which  last  the  officers  appropriated  for 
their  Head-quarters. 

Nine  miles  further  on,  Company  K  was  left,  at  St. 
Charles,  at  which  station  there  was  not  a  solitary  build 
ing.  *  It  was  simply  a  halting  place  for  trains,  on  the 
border  of  a  dense  swamp.  A  small  patch  of  comparative 
ly  dry  ground  near  the  track  was  the  only  available 
camping  place  in  the  vicinity. 

Six  miles  further  on,  Company  E  stopped  at  Boutte, 
(pronounced  by  Creoles,  Bootay),  and  pitched  their  tents 
along  side  the  track.  One  small  dwelling,  of  two  or 
three  rough  houses  that  composed  the  station,  was  desig 
nated  for  the  use  of  the  officers.  This  place  was  but  a 
little  clearing  in  the  midst  of  a  cypress  swamp. 

At  Bayou  des  Allemands,  (pronounced  Biu  day  Olle- 
mon),  Company  H  went  into  camp,  near  the  burnt  ruins 
of  the  station  house,  upon  the  picturesque  banks  of  a 
stream  of  the  above  name. 

Raceland   was  a  halting   place  for  trains,   upon   dry 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  113 

cultivated  grounds.  Here,  in  the  open  cane  fields,  Com 
pany  I  established  their  camp. 

The  next  place,  La  Fourche,  (pronounced  Lah  Foorsh), 
being  the  central  and  most  important  depot  on  the  road, 
was  selected  as  the  Head-quarters  of  the  Regiment.  The 
rail  road  at  this  point  crosses  a  wide  and  navigable 
bayou  of  the  same  name,  in  the  midst  of  a  rich  and 
populous  country.  This  little  settlement  is  the  outlet  by 
rail  road,  of  business  and  travel  for  the  larger  and  more 
prosperous  town  of  TJiibodeauxville,  (pronounced  Tibodo- 
ville),  which  is  but  three  miles  removed  up  the  bayou. 
Part  of  Company  D  here  encamped  in  front  of  a  neat 
white  house,  whicli  was  used  as  Head-quarters. 

Farce,  the  sutler,  also  opened  his  goods  for  sale  in  a 
vacant  ware-house,  and  a  Regimental  Hospital  was 
•-•stablished  in  another  building  near  by. 

Three  miles  from  La  Fourche,  was  the  station  of  Terre- 
bonne,  (pronounced  Terbone).  The  balance  of  Company 
D  here  pitched  their  tents,  in  the  door-yard  of  the  only 
planter's  house  in  the  vicinity. 

From  this  place  the  rail  road  passes  through  a  dense 
swamp,  until  it  suddenly  emerges  at  the  handsome  little 
village  of  Tigerville,  upon  the  borders  of  Bayou  Black. 
Company  G  was  here  as  pleasantly  encamped  as  the 
others. 

There  we?e  several  other  stations  between  Tigerville 
and  the  terminus  of  the  road,  which  were  not  guarded  for 
several  weeks  afterwards.  Along  this  whole  line  of  rail 
road,  the  Regiment  had  picket  posts  at  about  one  mile 
apart,  and  at  all  the  curves  and  bridges.  In  doing  this 
duty,  each  Company  was  directed  to  guard  the  road  in 
its  neighborhood,  and  half  way  to  the  adjoining  station, 
thereby  forming  a  continuous  chain  of  pickets  throughout 


114  RECORD  OF  THE  OXE  HUNDRED 

the  line.  The  Regiment  was  so  widely  separated,  that 
to  a  certain  extent  each  Company  became  an  independent 
organization.  They  were  governed  by  their  own  details 
of  duty,  besides  being  the  supreme  arbiters  of  all  law 
among  the  citizens  and  negroes  in  their  respective  com 
munities. 

Silent  leges  inter  arma.  The  Company  commanders 
found  themselves  suddenly  endowed,  by  force  of  circum 
stances,  with  all  the  extraordinary  prerogatives  of  referee, 
judge  and  sheriif,  at  the  same  time. 

The  recollections  of  serving  "  Uncle  Sam  "  upon  the 
rail  road  are  among  the  pleasantest  reminiscences  in  the 
history  of  the  Regiment.  The  fishing  and  hunting  were 
delightful,  while  the  men  satiated  their  appetites  with 
eat-fish,  pheasants,  rabbits,  oranges,  figs  and  pecan  nuts. 

It  was  a  source  of  pleasure  to  visit  the  plantations, 
when  off  duty,  and  observe  the  manner  of  cultivating 
cane,  and  manufacturing  sugar.  They  also  became  ac 
quainted,  by  actual  observation,  with  -many  of  those 
incidents  of  southern  life,  that  had  before,  by  reading 
such  books  as  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  been  rendered  so  inter 
esting  and  romantic.  They  had  a  fine  opportunity  to 
study  the  character  of  the  negro,  and  the  phases  of 
southern  society,  to  learn  of  the  degrading  nature  of 
slavery,  and  of  its  baneful  influence  upon  all  classes, 
especially  upon  the  masters.  Some  of  the  most  revolting 
spectacles  connected  with  the  "  divine  institution  "  were 
often  brought  before  their  eyes. 

One  of  the  chief  sources  of  amusement,  among  the 
soldiers,  was  in  visiting  negro  dances,  and  prayer  meet 
ings.  These  last  are  the  most  singular  and  impressive 
sights  imaginable,  consisting  of  weird  songs,  incoherent, 
irreverent  shouts,  mingled  with  violent  contortions,  wails 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  115 

:ind  moans,  quaint  prayers  and  responses.  It  was  observ 
able,  that  the  most  zealous  in  these  devotions,  were  often 
the  most  reckless  and  immoral. 

The  planters,  endeavoring  to  conciliate  the,  Yankee 
soldiers,  invited  them  to  their  houses,  and  bestowed  upon 
them  many  little  favors.  Thus,  between  duty  and  pleas 
ure,  the  men  passed  their  time  upon  the  rail  road. 

At  this  time,  orders  were  received,  announcing  the 
organization  of  the  new  army  of  General  Banks.  It  was 
designated  as  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  and  was 
divided  into  four  Divisions,  each  composed  of  three 
Brigades.  That  portion  of  the  army  to  which  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  assigned,  was  the  Second 
Brigade,  First  Division.  Afterwards  this  same  43rigade 
became  an  independent  organization,  and  was  designated 
the  "  Reserve  Brigade." 

The  different  commands  were  under  the  following  Gen 
erals  :  First  Division,  General  William  H.  Emory : 
Second  Division,  General  Cuvier  Grover ;  Third  Division, 
General  0.  C.  Augur ;  Fourth  Division,  General  T.  W. 
Sherman. 

The  independent  Brigade  was  commanded  by  General 
Weitzel.  This  Brigade  was  composed  of  the  following 
Regiments:  Seventy-Fifth,  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth,  and  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  New  York,  Eighth 
Vermont,  and  Twelfth  Connecticut,  in  addition  to  a 
Battery  of  First  Maine  Artillery  and  two  Companies  of 
First  Louisiana  Cavalry. 

This  composed  the  "  Old  Brigade,"  of  whom  afterwards, 
when  tried  in  battle,  General  Weitzel  said  lie  was  proud 
to  command  ;  and  whose  members  learned  to  love  and 
respect  their  commander. 

On  the  afternoon  of  January  20th,  Companies  A,  B  and 


11(5  RECORD  OF  THE  O>JE  HUNDRED 

O,  left  their  camp  at  Battle  Ground,  and  steamed  up  the 
river,  on  the  Ibervitte,  to  Algiers.  That  night  they  slept 
on  the  floor  of  the  depot.  The  following  morning  they 
jumped  aboard  the  cars  and  were  taken  to  their  designa 
ted  stations.  Company  C  was  Jeft  at  La  Fourche  crossing, 
relieving  Company  D,  which  joined  the  detachment,  at 
Terrebonne.  Company  B  was  taken  still  further  up  the 
road  to  Bayou  Boeuf,  (pronounced  Bin  Bef),  and  camped 
on  the  banks  of  that  stream.  Company  A  was  carried 
to  the  end  of  the  road  at  Brashear  City,  where  they 
remained  but  a  short  time,  when  they  returned  four  miles 
to  Bayou  Ramos,  and  encamped  in  front  of  an  old 
sugar  mill. 

On  tfce  26th  of  this  month,  the  Captains  all  Avent  to 
New  Orleans,  to  receive  two  months'  pay  for  their  Com 
panies.  The  30th  they  returned,  and  issued  the  welcome 
greenbacks  to  the  men. 

The  sound  of  distant  cannonading,  on  the  1 7th  of  the 
month,  was  heard  at  nearly  every  station  on  the  rail 
road. 

It  told  oi  the  battle  of  the  "  Cotton."  which  was  fought 
by  General  Weitzel,  with  the  other  Regiments  of  his 
Brigade,  and  the  gunboats. 

It  reminded  our  men,  that  they  too,  probably,  would 
soon  be  called  upon  to  enter  upon  more  perilous  duties. 

On  the  7th  of  February,  orders  came  to  be  ready  to 
move  within  two  days. 

The  evening  of  the  8th,  a  train  loaded  with  troops 
came  from  Algiers,  leaving  at  every  station  a  Company 
of  the  Twenty-Third  Connecticut,  and  taking  up  the 
different  Companies  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth. 
Before  morning  the  change  had  been  entirely  effected,  the 
Regiment  arriving  at  Brashear  City.  Their  camp  was  a 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  117 

low  spot  of  ground  near  the  rail  road,  in  the  rear  of  the 
town. 

For  the  first  time  since  leaving  Camp  Belger,  the  Regi 
ment  was  again  united.  The  occurrence,  insignificant  as 
it  may  seem,  was  the  occasion  of  much  joy. 

"  Soldiers  assimilate  more  closely,  probably,  than  any 
other  class  of  people.  Officers  and  men  become  as  it 
were  one  family,  united  by  ties  more  firm,  more  enduring, 
and  perhaps  more  affectionate,  than  are  most  families  in 
the  quiet  pursuits  of  peaceful  life.  Those  at  home,  who 
have  never  been  severed  from  all  that  they  love,  all  that 
they  toil  for,  can  not  appreciate  the  feelings  of  dependence 
upon  one  another  that  soldiers  have.  Kind  words  become 
necessary  to  mutual  comfort,  and  mutual  needs  demand 
mutual  accommodations.  Selfishness  among  strangers  is 
mean  enough  any  way,  but  amongst  soldiers  it  is  nothing^ 
more  nor  less  than  actual  sin." 


118  EECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XII. 

Up  with  my  tent :    Here  will  I  lie  to-night ; 

But  where  to-morrow  ?— Well.  al!1s  one  for  that  — 

Who  hath  descried  the  number  of  the  traitors  ? 

KING  RIOUABD  III. 

Battalion  drills,  parades,  and  inspections  again  became 
the  order  of  the  day,  and  the  scenes  of  Camp  Belger 
were  re-enacted.  The  town  of  Bra-shear  has  been  digni 
fied  with  the  title  of  city,  but  it  is  in  fact,  a  poor 
specimen  of  a  squalid  southern  village,  containing  not 
more  than  three  hundred  people  in  time  of  peace.  It  is 
situated  on  the  banks  of  Berwick  Bay,  which  is  here 
about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  wide.  Upon  the  opposite 
shore  is  another  little  settlement  called  Berwick  City. 
Numerous  bayous  enter  the  bay  at  this  point.  The 
water  courses  of  Louisiana  are  the  most  remarkable 
features  of  the  geography  of  the  State. 

"  If  one  has  moral  courage  enough  to  examine  any 
detailed  hydrographical  map  of  Southern  Louisiana,  he 
will  lose  himself  among  the  labyrinthian  intersections  of 
the  countless  lakes  and  bayous  there  represented,  resemb 
ling  more  the  plan  of  a  spider's  web,  than  any  other 
portion  of  the  habitable  globe.  For  the  benefit  of  those 
who  may  not  know  anything  about  these  extraordinary 
bayous,  it  may  be  well  here  to  state,  that,  although  when 
compared  to  the  mighty  Mississippi,  they  sink  to  the 
insignificance  of  mere  streamlets,  many  of  them  far 
exceed  in  volume  the  river  Thames,  a  short  distance  above 
London,  and  the  smallest  of  them,  in  some  countries, 
be  considered  a  very  respectable  river." 


ANB  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  119 

Throughout  the  whole  extent  of  this  low  alluvial 
country,  deep  and  stagnant  bayous  intersect  each  other 
in  every  direction.  They  are  the  safety  valves  of  the 
Mississippi,  drawing  all  of  their  water  from  that  immense 
source,  and  from  their  vast  capacity,  prevent,  at  times, 
the  whole  country  from  inundation. 

When  the  width  is  sufficient,  their  depth  and  easy 
curves  will  admit  the  passage  of  the  largest  class  of 
steamboats,  so  that  nearly  every  town  and  hamlet  has  the 
advantage  of  water  transportation  to  New  Orleans,  the 
great  mart  of  the  South.  It  is  curious  to  see  large  and 
elegant  steamboats  pass  rapidly  along  over  what,  at  a- 
little  distance,  appears  to  be  dry  ground,  but  which  in 
fact  is  a  bayou  so  narrow  that  the  vessel  brushes  against 
the  weeds  of  the  bank.  It  is  noticeable,  too,  that  the 
only  inhabitable  land,  particularly  in  the  lower  part  of 
the  state,  is  formed  by  nature  in  narrow  strips  of  open 
country,  bordering  some  bayou  or  river,  the  intervening^ 
portion,  which  is  by  far  the  larger,  being  covered  with 
impenetrable  forests  and  swamps.  The  highest,  and 
therefore  the  dryest  soil,  is  nearest  the  banks  of  a  stream  : 
yet  the  closest  observer,  whichever  way  he  may  travel, 
cannot  discover  any  variation  from  the  monotonous  dead 
level  of  the  country.  The  natives  of  Louisiana  know  not 
the  beauties  of  mountain  scenery,  of  babbling  brooks,  of 
rocks,  and  variety  of  soil  and  productions.  Not  a  spring- 
or  swift-running  stream  can  be  found ;  only  in  cisterns  is 
transparent  water  to  be  seen.  A  stone,  or  a  pebble,  is  a 
curiosity,  and  the  tillable  soil  is  merely  dried  mud. 

Soon  after  Jhe  arrival  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  at  Brashear  City,  Colonel  Smith,  as  ranking  officer, 
was  placed  in  command  of  the  post,  and  Lieutenant  Col 
onel  Per  Lee,  of  the  Regiment.  In  the  mean  time,  the 


120  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

authorities  were  not  idle  in  watching  and  harrassing  the 
enemy.  Across  the  bay,  the  rebels  had  their  picket  posts, 
and  our  cavalry  frequently  went  over  to  skirmish,  and 
ascertain  their  position  and  strength. 

A  fleet  of  gunboats  were  constantly  patrolling  the 
lakes  and  bayous,  and  often  had  sharp  and  decisive  en 
gagements.  Now  and  then,  a  Company  from  the 
Regiment  would  be  sent  off  as  sharpshooters,  upon  a 
gunboat,  for  a  twenty-four  hours'  cruise. 

It  was  on  one  of  these  trips  that  a  part  of  Company  B  met 
with  an  accident,  which  came  near  being  attended  with 
serious  loss  of  life.  They  were  returning,  on  the  evening 
of  February  23d,  from  a  sail  up  in  Grand  Lake,  on  board 
the  gunboat  Kinsman* when  the  vessel,  striking  a  snag, 
sprung  a  leak.  In  attempting  to  reach  the  dock  at  Brash- 
ear  City,  the  boat  suddenly  sank,  about  fifty  feet  from 
the  shore,  and  entirely  disappeared.  Seven  poor  sailors 
were  drowned,  but  by  a  singular  good  fortune,  every  one 
of  the  Company  saved  his  life,  by  clinging  to  some 
floating  material,  or  swimming  ashore.  Lieutenant 
Nichols  was  in  command  of  the  detail,  and  conducted 
himself  with  remarkable  coolness  and  courage,  as  did 
every  man.  Company  C,  also,  had  a  little  experience  on 
a'similar  adventure  on  the  gunboat  Calhoun,  at  a  time 
when  she  had  a  severe  contest  with  some  rebel  artillery. 

Each  day  in  the  army,  quite  as  much  as  out  of  it,  has 
its  lips  and  downs,  its  cares  and  duties,  its  joys  and  sor 
rows,  its  depressions  and  excitements.  These,  too,  are  as 
blended  as  the  colors  of  the  kaleidoscope,  or  the  ever 
changing  scenes  of  a  drama. 

Wherever  the  men  might  be,  or  whatever  their  duties, 
whether  pleasing  or  painful,  death  stared  them  in  the 

*  Formerly  the  transport  Grey  Cloud. 


A  N  f>  FO I  KTEKNTII   R  EG IM KNT.  1 2  I 

face,  and  frequently  had  been  noted  upon  the  muster  rolls 
one  or  more  names  less.  Now  a  feeling  of  sadness  per 
vades  the  Regiment,  and  all  hearts  alike  partake  of 
sorrow.  Boisterous  shouts  and  songs  of  mirth  are  hush 
ed,  tearful  eyes  and  choked  utterances  commingle  in  the 
camp.  Another  victim  is  offered  up  —  another  and  a 
Christian  soldier  dies.  Lieutenant  Gilbert,*  of  Company 
A,  was  the  first  among  the  commissioned  officers  of  the 
Regiment,  to  yield  to  relentless  disease  and  death,  and 
the  blow  was  unusually  severe.  He  died  in  Regimental 
Hospital,  of  fever,  ,at  5  o'clock  of  Monday,  the  16th  of 
the  month.  He  had  been  sick  for  some  time  before  the 
Regiment  went  up  to  Brashear  City,  and  never  rallied 
after  his  removal  from  La  Fourche. 

Concerning  the  sad  event,  the  following  order  was  read 
upon  dress  parade  of  the  Regiment,  on  the  evening  of 
the  18th: 

HEADQUARTERS  114TH  REGIMENT  N.  Y.  S.  VOLS.,  } 
BRASHEAR  CITY,  La.,  Feb.  18th,  1863.  } 

GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  11. 

The  commanding  officer  is  deeply  pained  to  announce  to  the  Regi 
ment,  the  decease  of  2d  Lieutenant  James  E.  Gilbert,  of  Co.  A,  who 
died  at  this  Post  of  typhoid  fever,  on  the  16th  instant.  In  his  death, 
the  Regiment  has  lost  a  faithful  and  valuable  officer,  and  one  whose 
memory  will  long  be  cherished  by  the  command. 

As  an  appropriate  tribute  of  respect,  the  commissioned  officers  of 
the  Regiment  will  wear  the  prescribed  badge  of  military  mourn 
ing — crape  on  the  left  arm  and  sword  hilt,  for  thirty  days  from  the 
promulgation  of  this  order. 

By  command  of  SAMUEL  R.  PER  LEE, 

^  Lieutenant  Colonel  Commanding. 

JAMES  F.  FITTS,  Adjutant. 

On  the  one  hundred  and  thirty-first  birth-day  of  Wash 
ington  a  salute  was  fired  by  one  of  the  batteries  of  the 

•  See  Biographical  Sketch  of  Lieutenant  Gilbert. 


122  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED  / 

post ;  and  the  men,  in  honor  of  the  event,  indulged  m 
such  luxuries  as  could  be  procured.  The  principal  public 
house  of  the  place  was  now  kept  by  Dwight  Parcer 
adjoining  his  sutler's  store,  under  the  imposing  title 
of  "  Brashear  City  Hotel."  The  many  comforts,  and,  at 
times,  even  delicacies,  provided  by  Mr.  Parce,  have 
never  been  forgotten  by  the  officers  or  men. 

The  Regimental  Hospital,  which  soon  became  filled, 
was  established  in  a  comfortable  building  near  the  rail 
road,  that  was  formerly  used  as  a  store. 

The  winter  rains  had  fallen  so  incessantly  for  a  number 
of  days,  rendering  the  ground  so"  horribly  muddy,  that 
Colonel  Smith  deemed  it  advisable  for  health  and  com 
fort  to  remove  the  camp.  Accordingly,  on  the  20th,  the 
men  moved  out  about  a  mile,  and  established  their  quar 
ters  upon  a  beautiful  grass  plot,  overlooking  the  waters 
of  the  bay.  An  open  shed,  near  by,  offered  excellent 
stabling  for  horses,  and  an  adjoining  sugar  mill  served 
for  commissary  stores. 

Notwithstanding  the  uniform  mildness  of  the  climate, 
several  objections  .were  found  against  soldiering  in 
Louisiana.  The  most  serious  annoyance  was  the  great 
number  and  voracity  of  the  musquitoes.  As  soon  as  the 
sun  had  gone  down,  these  insects  would  swarm  from  their 
hiding  places  in  the  swamps,  and  make  "  night  hideous  " 
with  their  humming,  driving  away  all  sleep  with  their 
stings.  Perpetually  thirsting  for  Yankee  blood,  so  large 
and  so  greedy  Avere  they,  that  their  victims  looked  like 
small-pox  patients,  so  pock-marked  and  pitted  they 
became.  ^  *•• 

The  men  here  learned  a  new  "  manual  of  arms,"  which 
consisted  in  certain  movements  of  slapping  and  brushing 
the  ears,,  face,  and  hands.  They  kept  in  good  practice  in 


AND  FOUKTJEENTH  REGIMENT.  123 

these  movements,  and  performed  them  with  great  pre 
cision.  »As  a  defense  against  this  fearful  enemy,  the 
government  issued  musquito  bars  to  the  troops  of  this 
Department,  which  became  a  necessary  part  of  a  soldier's 
equipment.  Another  cause  of  complaint  was  the  lack  of 
wholesome  water.  Wells  and  springs  were  unknown  in 
that  region,  and  the  bayous  alone  supplied  this  want. 
From  this  source  they  could  only  dip  up  a  brackish  and 
warm  fluid,  thick  with  mud  and  slime.  To  protect  the 
men  as  much  as  possible  against  the  injurious  effects  of 
water  and  climate,  whisky  rations,  sometimes  mixed  with 
quinine'  as  a  prophylactic,  were  here  for  the  first  time 
issued  to  the  troops.  This  last  remedy  was  so  univer 
sally  used  by  the  doctors,  that  it  became  a  subject  of 
much  amusement,  and  many  jests.  At  surgeon's  call  in 
the  morning,  hundreds  of  voices  would  simultaneously 
strike  up,  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  fife  and  the  drun^ 
the  song — 

"  Come  and  get  your  quinine,  quinine,  quinine, 
Come  and  get  your  quinine,  quinine nine." 

As  a  general  thing,  the  boys  enjoyed  themselves  while 
they  stayed  in  "  Camp  Reno."  They  bathed  and  fished 
in  the  bayous,  they  visited  the  neighboring  camps,  and 
watched  the  drills  of  artillery  and  cavalry  men.  They 
walked  up  to  Fort  Buchanan,  and  examined  the  method 
of  constructing  earth-works  ;  they  studied  the  habits  and 
dress  of  the  enemy's  pickets  across  the  bay,  being  the 
first  "  wild  rebels  "  they  had  ever  seen.  Those  endowed 
with  powerful  lungs  and  stentorian  voices,  would  often 
carry  on  a  bantering  conversation  with  the  Johnnies,  in 
the  clear  air  of  evening.  Occasionally  a  force  of  the- 
enemy's  cavalry  would  appear  in  sight,  but  a  few  well- 
directed  shells,  from  the  artillery  camp,  would  drive  them 


124  J:WORJ>  OF  THE  OME  HUNOTIRO 

away  in  confusion.  Often,  a  little  white  flag  of  truce 
would  be  displayed  upon  the  opposite  bank,  when  a  gun 
boat  would  sail  over  to  reply  to  some  frivolous  request. 
Abundance  of  fuel  and  lumber  was  confiscated  by 
traversing  the  bayous  around,  by  a  little  steamer  called 
the  fiouthern-  Merchant,  which  the  boys  averred  could 
sail  any  where,  where  there  was  a  heavy  dew. 

Various  individuals  living  across  the  bay,  evidently 
thoroughly  tinctured  with  secession  proclivities,  though 
making  strong  pretensions  to  loyalty,  made  frequent 
complaints  that  their  rights  had  been  invaded,  and  that 
their  property  had  not  been  properly  protected.  IT.  S. 
Carey,  Henry  Watkins,  and  others,  of  Berwick  City, 
addressed  a  communication  to  Captain  Cooke,  Command 
ing  U.  S.  fleet,  and  Colonel  Smith,  Commander  of  the 
post,  upon  the  subject.  Union  pickets,  it  appears,  had 
frequently  been  fired  upon  from  the  Berwick  side,  by 
rebels  secreted  behind  buildings,  and  some  miscellaneous 
firing  had  taken  place  from  the  Union  lines,  not  author 
ized  by  the  authorities,  or  the  rules  of  civilized  warfare. 

The  following  manifesto  of  Colonel  Smith,  in  reply  to 
the  Berwick  committee,  is  highly  commendable  for  its 
tone  and  spirit,  and  h;id  the  desired  effect. 

UK  \!>-<K  \i; TK«.S  U.  S.  FORCES,  BRASHEAR  CITY,  / 
J-Vhruary  19th,  1863.  f 

BL  S.  Carey,  Henry  Watkins  and  others,  Citizens  of  Berwick  City : 

GENTLEMEN: — Your  communication  addressed  to  Captain  Cooke, 
commanding  U.  S.  fleet,  and  myself,  was  duly  received.  I  have  in 
reply  only  to  say,  that  I  consider  firing  upon  pickets,  or  upon  women 
and  children,  pusillanimous  and  cowardly,  and  that  I  will  be  the  last  to 
inaugurate  such  &  course  of  warfare. 

Our  pickets  have  been  constantly  fired  npon.  I  rode  out  on  Sunday 
and  witnessed  it — the  balls  striking  about  and  beyond  me.  Sunday 
night  the  enemy  attacked  us  with  shot  and  shell  under  cover  of  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  125 

buildings  on  j-our  side  of  the  bay  ;  and  they  have  been  constantly  in 
the  habit  of  reconnoitering  from  them.  All  the  protection  we  can 
vouchsafe  to  you,  is  inside  of  our  lines. 

I  wish  to  give  notice  that  the  women  and  children  can  be  removed  r 
and  that  notice  I  give  now — for,  by  the  living  God,  if  there  is  any 
more  firing  from  your  side,  we  will  make  it  the  hottest  place  in  all 
rebeldom.  It  is  a  little  singular  that  no  complaint  or  information 
comes  to  us  of  their  whereabouts,  or  of  firing  from  that  side,  unless 
we  return  it.  This  won't  do,  gentlemen  ;  the  slope  is  the  wrong  way. 
Come  within  the  lines  or  hold  yourselves  liable  to  get  hurt.-  Every 
species  of  private  property  I  intend  to  respect,  and,  as  far  as  in  my 
power,  keep  inviolate. 

Pieces  have  been  discharged  into  the  water,  the  balls  of  which  mu.si 
ricochet  across  the  bay.  There  is  a  peremptory  order  against  miscel 
laneous  firing,  and  you  shall  have  no  further  cause  of  complaint  unless 
we  are  first  fired  upon. 

Respectfully.  ELISHA  B.  SMITH.. 

Colonel  Commanding  Post. 
JAMES  F.  FITTS,  Adjutant. 

The  communication  of  Colonel  Smith  was  endorsed  by 
General  "Weitzel,  as  follows  : 

DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  GULF,  HEAD -QUARTERS  2o  BRIGADE.  ) 
IST  DIVISION,  CAMP  STEVENS,  February  20,  1863.         ( 

Colonel  E.  B.  Smith,  Commanding  forces  in  Brashear  City : 

SIR  : — I  am  directed  by  the  Commanding  General  to-  acknowledge 
the  receipt  of  your  communication  of  the  19th  inst.,  and  to  state  that 
your  reply  is  approved  of.  Return  the  fire  of  the  enemy  as  you  see 
fit,  and  if  they  take  shelter  behind  the  buildings,  shell  the  buildings. 
Your  notice  for  the  removal  of  women  and  children  is  sufficient  and 
proper.  There  is  no  law  by  which  the  enemy  can  dictate  how  or 
when  the  fire  shall  be  returned ;  or,  when  attempting  your  life,  or  that 
of  your  soldiers,  cry  out  from  the  door  or  window  of  a  house,  "  Don't 
fire  back :  I  'm  protected  by  private  property" 

Very  Respectfully, 
By  command  of  BRIG.  GEN.  WEITZEL. 

J.  B.  HUBBARD,  Capt.  A.  A.  Oen'l. 


1  26  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

At  length,  General  Weitzel  removed  his  Head-quarters 
from  Thibocleaux  to  Brashear  City,  and  here  concentrated 
his  command.  One  morning,  while  the  Regiment  was 
being  exercised  in  battalion  drill,  by  Major  Curtis,  an 
officer  riding  by,  stopped  his  horse  to  observe  the  evolu 
tions.  Presently  he  dismounted,  and  approaching  the 
Major,  conversed  with  him  a  few  moments,  when,  taking 
the  Major's  sword,  he  commenced  to  drill  the  Regiment, 
explaining  each  movement  with  much  precision  and 
clearness.  Under  his  management,  the  drill  passed  off 
with  interest  and  satisfaction  to  all.  When  the  re-call 
sounded,  the  modest  and  handsome  young  officer,  return 
ing  the  sword,  mounted  his  horse,  and  rode  slowly  away. 
That  man  was  Brigadier  General  Godfrey  Weitzel.  It 
was  a  well-remembered  day,  the  event  of  which,  became 
the  theme  of  many  a  camp-fire  conversation. 

Rebel  deserters  and  runaway  slaves  brought  in  frequent 
information  concerning  the  operations  of  the  enemy  in 
that  vicinity,  and  they  were  unanimous  in  describing  the 
enemy's  fortifications,  a  few  miles  distant,  as  very  formi 
dable,  and  that  they  had,  but  a  short  way  off,  a  large 
army,  commanded  by  Dick  Taylor.  It  was  also  stated 
that  the  captured  iron-clads,  Queen  of  the  West  and 
Indianola^  were  preparing  for  an  attack  upon  Brashear 
City.  Precautions  were  therefore  taken  against  surprise, 
and  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  with 
the  other  troops  at  the  post,  were  ordered  to  stand  in 
line  of  battle  every  morning  from  3  o'clock  till  after 
daylight.  One  night,  the  men  were  suddenly  called  out 
into  line,  by  the  long-roll.  It  proved  to  be  only  a  ruse 
of  the  General,  to  accustom  the  men  to  promptness  in 
such  movements.  In  the  meantime,  the  Regiment  was 
daily  drilled  by  one  of  General  Weitzel's  aids — Lieut  en- 


AND   FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  127 

ant  Harmount,  of  the  Twelfth  Connecticut.  They  were 
greatly  indebted  to  that  accomplished  officer,  for  the 
clear  and  practical  knowledge  of  battalion  manoeuvres, 
which  they  derived  from  him.  Up  to  this  time,  officers 
and  men  blundered  alike  in  their  interpretation  $f  the 
simplest  rules  of  tactics. 

Days  and  weeks  passed  by  with  great  rapidity,  while 
the  Regiment  was  lying  in  Camp  Reno,  until,  at  length, 
the  season  of  ease  and  enjoyment  was  brought  to  a  close. 


128  KKCORD  OF  THE  OJSE  HUNDHED 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Only  we  want  a  little  personal  strength, 
And  pause,  until  these  Rebels  now  afoot, 
Come  underneath  the  yoke  of  Government. 

KING  HENRY  IV. 

For  some  reason  or  another,  it  appeared,  General  Weit- 
zel  had  found  it  necessary  to  fall  back  from  Brashear 
City.  Accordingly,  on  the  night  of  the  20th  of  March, 
preparations  were  made  for  a  big  "  skedaddle,"  as  the 
boys  called  it.  First,  the  sick  from  the  artillery  camps 
and  the  various  Regimental  Hospitals,  of  which  there 
were  several  hundred,  and  half  as  many  more  in  quarters 
unfit  for  active  duty,  were  sent  off  in  a  hospital  train 
about  12  o'clock  at  night,  under  charge  of  Assistant 
Surgeon  Beecher,  to  New  Orleans. 

Silently  the  army  wagons  carried  off  tents  and  bag 
gage — not  a  fire  or  candle  gave  token  of  the  general 
movement.  Through  the  darkness  and  mist,  long  rows 
of  mules  could  be  seen  dragging  the  heavy  cannon  from 
the  fort.  The  artillery  wagons  noiselessly  trundled  over 
the  soft  turf.  The  clinking  of  sabres  and  noise  of  hoofs 
gave  notice  of  the  passing  of  a  troop  of  horse.  The 
heavy  monotonous  tramp  of  marching  infantry,  and  the 
low  gruff  orders,  all  conspired  to  make  the  scene  one  of 
peculiar  inWest.  By  daylight  the  whole  brigade  was 
rattling  along  the  iron  road  towards  ~New  Orleans. 
When  the  rebel  pickets  fairly  came  to  their  senses  the 
next  morning,  and  rubbing  their  sleepy  eyes  peered  over 
the  bay  toward  the  Union  camps,  they  were  astonished  at 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEG1MKNT. 

seeing  nut  a  Yankee  soldier.  Xot  a  tent,  or  Hag,  gave 
evidence  that  the  "invader"'  had  ever  pressed  his  foot 
upon  the  sacred  soil  of  Brashear  City. 

In  the  meantime,  our  men  had  no  intimation  where 
they  were  going,  until  after  a  ride  of  eight  or  ten  miles 
they  found  themselves  encamping  upon  a  newly  ploughed 
cane  field,  in  the  vicinity  of  Bayou  Boeuf.  This  place 
was  but  a  clearing  in  the  forest,  and  presented  but  few 
attractions.  All  around  the  horizon,  were  seen  the  tall 
cypress  of  Louisiana  swamps,  every  branch  and  limb  of 
which  drooped  with  the  weight  of  a  silver  gray  moss, 
that  hung  in  heavy  festoons  to  the  ground.  The  only 
permanent  marks  of  civilization,  in  sight,  were  a  few 
shanties  around  the  rail  road  station,  and  a  couple  of 
dilapidated  sugar  mills.  The  swampy  nature  of  the 
country,  and  the  severe  rains,  conspired  to  make  their 
•  •amp  at  this  place,  a  very  disagreeable  one. 

A  correspondent  upon  the  spot  thus  graphically  des 
cribes  the  camp  and  the  mud  : 

••Such  mud  has  existed  nowhere  else  since  the  ark  stuck  on  Ararat. 
The  boys  are  emphatically  stuck  in  the  mud  on  all  sides.  Mud  in 
their  boots,  mud  in  their  tents,  mud  in  their  water,  mud  in  their  food ; 
even  the  brains  of  the  most  astute  are  decidedly  muddled.  They  eat 
and  drink  and  sleep  in  mud,  and  believe  if  they  should  die  in  this 
mud  hole,  they  will  become  mud — slimy,  oozy  mud,  the  favorite  re 
sort  of  cat-fish  and  alligators.  Think  of  it  !  Think  of  it !  The  dust 
of  heroes  dead  and  turned  into  mud  '  might  stop  a  hole  to  keep  the 
wind  away.'  Even,  believing-  firmly  in  future  destiny,  they  may,  at 
last,  be  baked  into  perfect  bricks,  to  build  a  house  for  some  northern 
^quatter  in  confiscated  reb,eldom.  What  a  heroic  fate  ! 

••'  The  camp  is  situated  in  a  sugar  field,  furrowed  like  corn  rows,  the 
stubble  from  ten  to  twelve  inches  high,  the  mud  ankle  deep  in  all  di 
rections,  and  beautiful  little  puddles  shining  on  all  sides,  like  stars  in 
a  chocolate  colored  sky.  Looking  through  Company  streets,  one  be 
holds  boxes  of  hard  tack,  soaked  to  perfection,  barrels  resembling 


130  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

small  hillocks  of  Louisiana  bottom,  pairs  of  legs  in  blue  breeches  stick 
ing  out  of  rmid  heaps,  with  soldiers  on  top  of  them,  salt  horse  washed 
into  fresh  beef,  tents,  dilapidated  commissary  stores,  with  mud  hither 
and  thither  by  way  of  never  ending  variety.  Verily, 

4  The  rose  is  red,  the  grass  is  green, 
But  mud  like  this  I've  never  seen.1 " 

They  were  tormented,  too,  with  alligators  of  immense 
dimensions  and  familiar  habits  ;  moccasin  snakes  of  do 
mestic  tendencies,  crawling  into  the  tents  for  shelter,  and 
frequently  monopolizing  the  blankets  of  the  men. 

Accommodating  themselves  in  a  remarkable  manner  to 
circumstances,  they  early  commenced  to  level  down  the 
cane  rows,  and  dig  ditches  to  drain  the  water  from  the 
intolerable  marsh.  They  also  brought  shells  from  a  neigh 
boring  bank,  and  made  excellent  walks  through  the 
streets.  By  such  labor,  Camp  Mansfield  soon  began  to 
present  a  neat  and  comfortable  appearance. 

The  dirty  waters  of  the  bayous  furnished  to  the  fisher 
men  an  abundance  of  fish  and  soft  crabs. 

While  lying  here,  the  unwelcome  news  came  of  the 
loss  of  one  of  the  best  gunboats  in  these  waters.  The 
Diana  was  disabled  and  captured,  with  her  men  and 
guns,  by  a  masked  battery  of  the  rebels  on  the  Atchafa- 
laya  river,  (pronounced  A-shaf-a-li.) 

For  some  time,  Company  C  was  detailed  for  special 
duty  on  this  boat,  but,  fortunately,  was  relieved,  on  the 
morning  of  the  day  she  was  lost. 

One  morning  every  one  was  alarmed  by  the  rapid 
firing  of  artillery  near  the  depot.  The  excitement  was 
quickly  allayed  by  the  announcement  that  the  command 
ing  General  of  the  Department  had  arrived  at  the  post, 
and  a  salute*  of  fifteen  guns  fired  for  him,  according 
to  his  rank.  But  few  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing 


AND  FOURTEENTH   KEOJMENT.  131 

General  Banks,  as  lie  remained  secluded,  and  but  a  short 
time.  This  visit  gave  rise  to  the  general  impression  that 
active  field  duty  was  near  at  hand. 

WhereA^er  the  army  went,  flocks  and  droves  of  contra 
bands  would  leave  the  plantations  and  unite  their  fortunes 
with  the  Lincoln  soldiers.  It  was  an  amusing  sight  to 
sec  a  party  of  runaway  negroes  come  into  camp.  Old 
men  with  canes,  bare-headed  and  bare-footed  children, 
women  in  short  dresses,  with  bandanas  wrapped  over 
woolly  pates,  and  carrying  infants  in  their  arms.  Big 
and  little,  black  and  yellow,  old  and  young,  crippled  and 
infirm,  all  with  bundles  and  all  kinds  of  traps,  came 
pouring  in  from  every  quarter,  at  every  hour  of  the  day. 
Many  secured  employment  in  the  camps,  as  cooks  and 
waiters,  and  washer-women,  and  teamsters;  but  by  far 
the  greater  part  were  sent  to  Ne\v  Orleans,  and  put  to 
work  on  fortifications  and  in  hospitals. 

By  day  and  by  night  the  rumbling  roar  of  passing- 
trains,  the  whistling  of  engines,  gave  notice  of  fresh 
arrival  of  troops.  Xew  camps  \vere  springing  up  all 
over  the  open  plain,  until  finally,  as  far  as  the  eye  could 
reach,  one  could  see  nothing  but  white  tents  and  floating 
flags  and  blue  forms.  From  every  point  was  heard  the 
clarion  sounds  of  the  bugle,  the  brazen  music  of  bands. 
the  shrill  ancf  inspiriting  notes  of  the  fife,  and  the  rattling 
of  drums. 

On  a  bright  and  beautiful  morning,  the  alarming  and 
exciting  intelligence  was  received,  that  the  enemy  with 
gunboats  was  near  by.  In  an  instant,  every  thing  was  in 
u  state  of  agitation.  The  men  were  ordered  into  line, 
and  marched  to  a  good  place  for  defense.  There  they 
stood  for  hours,  anxiously  awaiting  the  bloody  onslaught 
of  the  enemy.  Anxiety  was  replaced  by  weariness. 


132  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

when  finally  some  one  thought  he  could  explain  the  diffi 
culty.  It  was  whispered  from  one  to  another,  until  every 
man  heard  it,  and  told  it.  There  was  evidently  a 
sensation  in  the  ranks,  which  eventually  burst  forth  in 
loud  and  continuous  cheering  and  laughter.  It  was  the 
the  first  day  of  April!  The  men  were  dismissed  and 
went  to  their  quarters,  without  the  least  formality,  amid 
shouts  of"  April  fool,"  "  April  fool." 

Under  date  of  April  1st,  the  officers  of  the  New  York 
.Regiments,  attached  to  the  Second  Brigade,  published  an 
appeal  to  the  people  of  the  State.  The  paper  was  signed 
by  most  of  the  officers  of  the  Regiments  in  camp  at  that 
time. 

At  a  meeting  held  pursuant  to  call,  in  the  depot  build 
ing,  Brashear  City,  March  17th,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  prepare  the  address.  Colonel  Smith 
presided,  Captain  Cray,  of  the  Seventy-fifth  New  York, 
acting  as  Secretary.'" 

The  retreat  from  Brashear  City,  .undoubtedly  was 
designed  to  throw  the  enemy  off  his  guard,  while  troops 
could  be  collected,  and  preparations  made  for  a  spring 
campaign.  It  was  intended  as  evidence  of  weakness, 
to  conceal  the  accumulation  of  real  strength.  The  osten 
sible  cause,  was  the  fear  of  an  attack  in  the  rear,  and  the 
consequent  destruction  of  bridges  and  rail  road  communi 
cation  at  Bayou  Boeuf. 

If  reports  were  true,  the  confederates  were  completely 
deceived,  and  ceased  to  work  upon  their  fortifications, 
yet,  they  dare  not  pass  over  the  bay,  and  occupy  Brash- 
car  City.  The  culminating  point  arrived  on  the  2d  of 

*  The  address,  which  has  been  widely  published  throughout  the  State,  and  which 
was  very  ably  written,  was  prepared  by  Captain  J.  F.  Fitts,  who  was  delegated  by 
the  committee  for  that  purpose. 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  133- 

March,  and  the  army  was  thrown  forward  into  Brashear 
again.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  were  called 
upon  to  make  their  first  march  of  importance.  The  tents 
and  baggage  were  deposited  by  the  side  of  the  track  for 
transportation,  and  with  knapsacks  on  their  backs,  and 
guns  on  their  shoulders,  they  crossed  the  bridge,  and 
tramped  up  the  rail  road  towards  the  bay. 

At  Bayou  Ramos,  they  left  the  track,  and  moved  on  a 
road  that  ran  along  the  banks  of  Yellow  Bayou.  At 
midnight  they  spread  their,  blankets  upon  a  vacant  field, 
in  Brashear  City.  The  following  day,  the  tents  arrived, 
and  were  pitched  upon  a  new  camping  ground. 

From  the  many  changes  and  exposures,  incident  to 
camp  life,  and  the  effects  of  a  southern  climate,  sickness 
at  this  time  was  largely  on  the  increase.  An  active  cam 
paign  was  about  to  open,  and  many  must  be  left  behind. 
At  this  juncture,  a  Brigade  Hospital  was  established.  It 
was  located  on  what  is  known  as  "  Cow-pen  Island," 
across  the  Atchafalaya,  about  a  mile  below  Brashear  City. 
A  deserted  mansion,  with  beautiful  grounds,  ornamented 
with  shrubbery  and  flowers,  was  appropriated  for  this 
use.  The  proprietor,  it  is  said,  was  a  Union  man,  but 
his  wife  having  secession  proclivities,  seduced  him  from 
his  splendid  home,  as  was  the  case  with  many  others,  to 
follow  the  delusions  of  women.  Hospital  tents  were 
added,  and  extensive  preparations  made,  to  accommodate 
wounded,  as  well  as  sick.  Surgeon  Powers,  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New  York,  \vas  placed  in  charge, 
aided  by  an  efficient  corps  of  assistants. 

At  this  Hospital  the  mortality  was  truly  alarming. 
There  were  from  eight  to  ten,  and  as  many  as  twelve 
deaths  per  day,  for  weeks  together,  out  of  a  list  of 
patients  varying  from  three  to  five  hundred,  independent 
of  the  wounded,  whicTi  were  subsequently  added. 


134  RECORD  OF  THE  O1S  E  HUNDRED 

Here  many  a  generous  hearted  boy  of  the  Regiment, 
nobly  offered  up  his  life — here  fought  life's  last  battle,  and 
now  rests  in  a  peaceful  grave,  fragrant  with  precious 
memories,  on  the  banks  of  the  Atchafalaya. 

In  a  few  days,  it  was  estimated  that  thirty  thousand 
troops  were  encamped  at  this  point,  besides  a  large  fleet 
of  gunboats  and  transports.  On  every  hand  the  busy 
note  of  preparation  was  heard.  Day  and  night,  ringing 
anvils  told  of  wagons  repaired,  and  the  shoeing  of  mules 
and  horses.  At  the  depot,  gangs  of  workmen  were  con 
stantly  employed  in  unloading  army  supplies  from  the 
cars,  and  filling  up  the  wagons.  Even  the  knapsacks 
were  inspected,  and  with  surplus  baggage,  stowed  away 
in  ware-houses,  leaving  each  soldier  but  one  change  of 
under  clothing,  to  be  carried  in  a  rubber  blanket.  The 
haversacks  were  loaded  with  thrae  days  rations,  and 
cartridge  boxes  filled  with  ammunition. 

On  the  9th  of  April,  the  fleet  began  to  convey  the 
army  across  the  bay.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth, 
leaving  their  tents  standing  behind  them,  marched  to  the 
dock,  and  crowded  aboard  the  gunboat  Clifton.  A  few 
minutes  sail  brought  them  to  Berwick*City,  Avhere  they 
landed.  Proceeding  to  the  large  plain  in  the  rear  of  the 
town,  they  halted  and  stacked  arms.  The  men  were 
somewhat  excited  by  the  prospect  before  them,  Avhich 
was  in  no  wise  allayed  by  the  sound  of  rapid  musket 
firing,  toward  the  front,  where  those  who  had  arrived 
early  in  the  morning  were  engaging  the  pickets  of  the 
enemy.  All  the  day  and  night,  and  the  day  following, 
the  boats  were  bringing  the  army  across  the  bay. 

\n  ancient  Indian  mound  upon  the  plain,  served  a  good 
purpose,  and  was  used  for  a  signal  station.  Flags  by 
day,  and  lights -by  night,  were  conversing  with  another 
signal  party  upon  a  scaffolding,  from  the  roof  of  the  de- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  135 

pot  at  Brashear.  There  is  a  mystery  in  the  fluttering  of 
these  little  flags.  Back  and  forth,  to  the  right  and  to 
the  left,  they  rapidly  make  new  combinations  of  move 
ments,  till  one  becomes  bewildered  in  attempting  to  study 
their  hidden  meaning.  Wherever  a  soldier  may  go,  he 
can  always  see  those  black  and  white  flags,  waving  from 
tree-tops,  and  roofs,  and  steeples. 

This  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Regiment, 
when  the  men  fully  realized  that  they  were  called  upon 
to  fight,  to  suffer  wounds,  and  perhaps  meet  death. 

On  the  evening  of  the  10th,  the  slow  and  faint  firing 
in  front,  which  had  been  heard  for  several  days,  became 
louder  and  more  rapid,  and  was  approaching  nearer.  The 
men  were  aroused  at  the  expected  attack,  and  were 
moved  out  a  little  way,  behind  a  corn  field.  It  proved 
to  be  only  a  little  skirmish,  and  they  found  that  the  long 
looked  lor,  and  dreaded  hour  of  battle  had  not  yet  come. 

Here  the  Regiment  bivouaced  for  the  first  time.  Some 
slept  on  the  ground,  only  wrapped  in  their  blankets  ; 
others  built  little  structures  from  fence  rails  and  bushes  ; 
but  the  more  general  custom  was  to  construct  small  tents 
from  their  rubber  blankets. 

If  one  examines  an  accurate  map  of  Louisiana,  he  will 
observe  that  Berwick  City  is  on  the  point  of  a  narrow 
peninsula  of  some  sixty  miles  in  length.  Bayou  Teche, 
running  south-easterly,  and  emptying  into  Berwick  Bay, 
is  followed  [in  all  its  course  by  a  narrow  strip  of  arable 
land,  bounded  on  the  north  by  the  swamps  of  Grand 
Lake,  on  the  south  by  the  salt  water  marsh  of  the  Gulf 
of  Mexico.  The  only  way  to  reach  the  rich  plains  of 
Western  Louisiana  is  by  moving  along  the  banks  of  the 
Teche ;  and  when  once  in  the  -Teche  country,  the  only 
exit  is  by  the  two  extremities. 


136  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE 

Some  twelve  miles  from  Berwick  Bay,  the  enemy, 
taking  advantage  of  the  singular  formation  of  country, 
had  constructed  a  formidable  fort  extending  entirely 
across  the  peninsula,  reaching  from  the  Teche  to  the 
swamps  on  either  side.  To-  flank  or  invest  such  a  position 
was  entirely  out  of  the  question. 

General  Banks  attempted  to  master  the  situation  by 
executing  a  plan  ot  attack,  which  proved  as  creditable  to 
his  skill,  as  an  officer,  as  any  of  his  subsequent  strategic 
movements. 

The  plan  was  for  General  Grover  with  his  Division  to 
proceed  on  transports  from  Brashear  City  through  Grand 
Lake,  to  a  point  or  landing  called  "  Shell  Bank,"  where  a 
road,  but  little  known,  led  to  the  Teche,  some  twenty 
miles  in  the  rear.  Generals  Emory  and  Weitzel  were  to 
move  their  commands  up  the  Teche,  and  attack  the 
enemy's  works  in  front. 

The  intention  of  General  Grover's  expedition,  as  will 
be  readily  understood,  in  getting  into  the  enemy's  rear, 
was,  if  possible,  to  cut  off  their  line  of  retreat  in  case 
they  should  be  forced  to  evacuate  in  front ;  and  in  the 
event  of  his  not  evacuating,  to  attack  him  in  the  rear, 
and  thus,  under  two  fires,  compel  him  to  surrender. 
With  this  well  devised  plan,  the  campaign  was  inaugu 
rated. 


AXD  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  137 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

Defiance,  traitors,  hurl  we  in  your  teeth. 

JULIUS  C.KSAB. 

Upon  Saturday,  the  llth  day  of  April,  the  "  Teche 
Campaign  "  fairly  opened.  Early  in  the  morning,  Gener 
al  Grover's  Division  left  Brashcar  City,  on  the  gunboats 
Clifton,  JEstrella,  Arizona  and  Calhowi,  and  the  trans 
ports  Laurel  Hill,  Quinnebauy  and  St.  Mary's.  Two 
snfall  tug-boats  had  in  tow  rafts,  loaded  with  artillery 
and  munitions  of  war.  The  whole  proceeded  in  line,  up 
the  waters  of  the  Atchafalaya,  the  Clifton  taking  the 
lead.  As  the  loaded  vessels  steamed  up  the  river,  one 
after  another,  passing  the  army  marching  along  the  road, 
which  moved  out  from  Berwick  the  same  day,  hearty 
cheers  were  given,  hands  and  handkerchiefs  waved,  and 
the  joy  which  shone  on  the  faces  of  all,  could  not  have 
been  exceeded  if  the  parties  had  met  after  a  long  and 
dangerous  campaign,  instead'  of  the  few  hours  which 
passed  since  they  were  together.  ,  v 

The  advance  of  the  land  force  was  made  by  General 
Weitzel's  command,  in  the  following  order:  Eighth 
*  Vermont,  Colonel  Thomas,  extreme  right ;  Seventy-Fifth 
New  York,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock,  right  centre ; 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New  York,  Colonel  Smith, 
centre ;  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  New  York,  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Van  Patten,  left  centre ;  Twelfth  Connecti 
cut,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Peck,  left  wing.  Williamson's 
First  Louisiana  cavalry  was  in  the  extreme  advance, 
closely  followed  by  skirmishers  from  the  different  Regi- 


138  RECOKD  OF  THE  OME  HUNDRED 

rnents.  One  Company  of  the  First  United  States 
Artillery,  Captain  Bainbridge,  and  the  Sixth  Massachu 
setts  Battery,  Captain  Carruth,  accompanied  them. 

Cheerily  the  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
marched  out  of  bivouac  at  Berwick,  and  sang  and  chat 
ted  as  they  tramped  along  the  dusty  road,  by  the  banks 
of  the  Bay.  They  did  not  know  where  they  were  going, 
nor  did. they  care  to  know.  The  music  of  bands,  for  a 
time,  quickened  their  steps,  increasing  the  jest  and  merri 
ment  of  song.  Going  a  little  distance,  they  turned  to 
the  left,  upon  the  banks  of  the  Atchafalaya.  The  army 
had  not  proceeded  far,  before  the  scattering  fire  of  the 
skirmishers  was  heard,  giving  notice  of  the  presence  of 
the  enemy.  Occasionally  there  could  be  distinctly  seen, 
across  the  broad  plains,  a  line  of  blue-coated  cavalry r 
driving  before  them  horsemen  in  gray.  At  times  a  piece 
of  artillery  would  explode  a  few  shells  among  small 
squads  of  the  enemy,  hurrying  them  away.  Yet  there 
was  need  of  much  caution  in  the  advance,  and  the  infant 
ry  were  moved  slowly  while  the  cavalry  felt  the  way. 

After  advancing  some  few  miles,  the  enemy  opened 
with  a  battery  of  six  and  twelve  pound  light  pieces^ 
posted  near  a  large  sugar  \  house  on  the  right.  Bain- 
bridge's  Artillery  was  quickly  in  position,  and  so  effective 
were  the  shells,  that  the  rebels  soon  ceased  firing,  limber 
ed  up  their  guns,  and  hurriedly  left.  By  order  of  General 
Weitzel,  Colonel  Smith  from  this  point  placed  a  guard 
over  the  houses  and  plantations.  The  sugar  houses  and 
out-buildings  were  mostly  filled  with  sugar,  cane  and 
molasses. 

Pattersonville,  nine  miles  distant  from  Berwick  Cit}% 
was  reached  between  five  and  six  p.  M.  The  Atchafalaya 
runs  to  the  right,  and  parallel  with  it.  Here  the  array 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  139 

rested  for  the  night.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
filed  off  from  the  road,  and  prepared  their  bivouac — 
Colonel  Smith,  and  a  portion  of  the  Regimental  field  and 
staff,  making  their  quarters  in  a  house  near  by. 

No  sooner  were  the  arms  stacked,  and  ranks  broken, 
than  the  adjoining  fences  were  torn  down,  and  piled  up 
for  camp  fires.  The  banks  of  the  river,  were  lined  for 
miles,  with  men  bathing,  watering  horses,  and  filling 
their  canteens.  By  9  o'clock  they  had  cleaned  themselves 
from  dust,  partaken  of  their  suppers,  and  were  lying  over 
the  ground,  rolled  up  in  their  blankets,  fast  asleep. 

Here  it  was,  it  will  be  remembered,  that  the  Diana  was 
captured  by  the  rebels,  on  the  28th  of  March,  just  thir 
teen  day  before,  her  commander,  Captain  Peterson,  and 
Master's  Mate,  Mr.  Dolliver,  being  almost  instantly 
killed. 

Our  boys  were  assigned  a  camping  place,  wheij^  lay 
scattered  the  decaying  mules  and  horses  of  the  enemy, 
killed  by  the'  well  directed  guns  of  the  Diana.  Their 
rest,  thaU  night,  was  considerably  disturbed  by  the 
stench ;  and  from  bundles  of  blankets  would  now  and 
then  proceed  a  curse,  or  a  call  upon  the  commissary  to 
"  remove  those  rations  of  meat." 

Very  early  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  reveille  was 
sounded,  but  the  army  was  not  put  in  motion  till  10 
o^lock.  They  left  the  Atchafalaya  and  moved  along  the 
banks,  of  the  Teche,  (pronounced  Tash.)  The  negroes, 
scattered  along  the  road,  gave  interesting  and  truthful 
accounts  of  the  enemy,  and  his  defenses.  They  described 
the  works  as  but  a  few  miles  distant,  running  in  a  zig 
zag  course,  two  miles  across  the  plain,  behind  a  natural 
ditch,  and  composed  of  an  embankment  of  earth  five  feet 
high,  sustained  by  piles.  Behind  this  work,  they  reported 

10 


140  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

twenty-five  guns  mounted,  and  a  garrison  of  from  fifteen 
to  eighteen  thousand  men. 

The  rebels  showed  themselves  in  considerable  num 
bers,  while  the  cavalry  was  having  lively  times  in 
driving  them.  After  proceeding  a  short  distance,  the 
location  was  supposed  to  be  near  enough  to  require  the 
formation  of  the  army  in  line  of  battle.  The  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth  was  placed  near  the  left  of  the 
advance  line,  upon  the  border  of  the  forest,  while  the 
right  of  Weitzel's  Brigade  rested  upon  the  bayou.  A 
similar  formation  was  made  upon  the  opposite  side  of  the 
bayou,  by  other  troops  of  the  Division,  by  means  of  a 
pontoon  bridge. 

The  army  thus  disposed  of,  or  arranged,  again  com 
menced  to  move,  although  but  very  slowly.  The  fields 
through  which  it  marched,  were  covered  with  a  growth 
of  %gar  cane,  so  high  that  the  lines  were  almost  conceal 
ed,  and  so  dense  that  it  required  the  most  fatiguing  labor 
"for  the  men  to  push  their  way  through.  Jumping  from 
cane  row  to  cane  row,  leaping  over  ditches,  crowding 
between  stiff  cane  stalks,  wading  through  mud-holes, 
beneath  a  scalding  sun,  the  boys  toiled  on,  stopping  every 
few  minutes  to  re-form  the  line,  which  necessarily  became, 
broken,  for  it  was  impossible  for  one  man  to  see  more 
than  half-a-dozeri  of  his  comrades  at  a  time. 

At  5  o'clock  in  the  evening,  having  made  but  four 
miles,  with  great  exhaustion  to  the  men — the  skirmishers 
still  failing  to  discover  any  considerable  bocKr  of  the 
enemy — suddenly,  without  the  least  warning,  a  couple  of 
cannon  exploded  in  front,  and  two  hissing,  shrieking 
missiles  passed  over  the  heads  of  the  men,  killing  instant 
ly  a  pair  of  horses  attached  to  a  battery  following  close 
behind. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  141 

Thus  opened  the  battle  of  BISLAND. 

Before  the  men  had  time  to  recover  from  their  astonish 
ment,  the  simultaneous  discharge  of  artillery  all  along  the 
front,  hurled  shot  and  shell  in  great  profusion  among  the 
cane,  and  far  to  the  rear. 

It  was  a  critical  moment  for  untried  troops.  They  had 
unconsciously  approached  too  near  the  enemy's  works, 
and  were  thus  unexpectedly  and  violently  attacked. 
Even  veterans  could  not  calmly  endure  the  appalling 
situation.  A  deep,  dry  ditch  was  near  at  hand,  running 
parallel  to  t  if  line,  and  the  men  were  ordered  to  fall  into 
it.  In  an  instant,  the  Regiment  was  out  of  sight,  while 
the  batteries,  but  a  few  rods  back,  unlimbered,  and  were 
answering  the  rebels  shot  for  shot.  All  over  the  field, 
the  thunder  of  artillery  blended  into  one  continuous  roll. 
For  an  hour  and  a  half,  while  lying  in  the  ditch,  the  men 
were  subjected  to  the  deafening  roar  of  one  of  the 
severest  and  most  remarkable  artillery  duels  of  the  war. 
A  thousand  Fourth  of  July  celebrations  were  concentra 
ted  into  a  second  of  time.  The  air  was  rent  with  solid 
shot  and  grape.  A  haze  filled  the  atmosphere,  from  the 
smoke  of  discharged  guns  and  bursting  shells.  The  lat 
ter,  exploding  in  the  air,  resembled  fire-flies  at  night, 
while  the  falling  missiles  cut  down  the  cane  and  threw  up 
showers  of  dirt.  The  whole  horizon  in  front  appeared  to 
shoot  out  a  sudden  jet  of  yellow  fire,  which  disappearing, 
was  instantly  followed  by  a  circle  of  white,  fleecy  smoke, 
which  grew  less  and  less,  and  finally  vanished.  Pande- 
moniuift  was  let  loose.  The  variety  of  unheard-of  sounds, 
and  whizzes,  and  screams,  are  as  indescribable  as  they 
were  innumerable. 

<*0,  'twas  a  din  to  fright  a  monster's  ear ; 
To  make  an  earthquake  !" 


142  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

During  this  fight,  General  Weitzel  confirmed  his  repu 
tation  for  bravery.  Through  all  the  cannonading  he  did 
not  dismount,  but  sat  patting  his  horse,  to  allay  the 
animal's  fears. 

A  staff  officer  of  General  Weitzel  at  length  directed 
Colonel  "Smith  to  march  his  command  to  the  rear. 
Steadily,  and  slowly,  the  Regiment  endured  the  ordeal  of 
retreating  under  the  enemy's  fire,  while  the  captured  gun 
boat  Diana  paid  the  Brigade  particular  attention  in  the 
way  of  shells. 

The  rebels  could  be  seen  on  their  works,  4kid  cheering 
was  heard  at  the  supposed  discomfiture  of  the  patriot 
army.  After  marching  back  in  line  of  battle  about  half 
a  mile,  out  of  range  of  the  enemy's  guns,  the  Regiment, 
about  sundown,  was  ordered  to  bivouac,  while  a  picket 
force  was  kept  well  to  the  front. 

A  mail  from  Brashear  City  w^as  here  distributed  to  the 
troops.  Many  letters  from  peaceful  homes  and  loving 
hearts,  were  that  night  read  by  the  light  of  burning- 
buildings,  surrounded  by  the  carnage  and  desolation  of 
war.  Some,  alas !  came  too  late.  Others,  never  more 
replied  to  the  expressions  of  endearment  from  father  or 
mother,  brother  or  sister. 

As  fires  were  not  permitted  along  the  lines,  for  pruden 
tial  reasons,  as  soon  as  it  was  dark  the  men  laid  them 
selves  down  between  the  cane  rows,  rolled  themselves  up 
in  their  blankets,  and  went  to  sleep.  They  went  to  bed 
supperless,  for  their  haversacks  were  empty. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  April  13th,  the  Diana  appear 
ed  some  three  miles  up  the^Teche,  and  commenced,  at  long 
range,  to  hurl  shells  among  the  Union  camps.  A  few  well 
directed  shots  from  a  section  of  the  Twenty^First  Indiana 
Artillery,  inflicted  some  serious  damage  upon  her,  for  she 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  143 

could  be  seen  slowly  moving  away,  with  Tier 'flag  gone, 
and  her  upper  decks  torn  into  fragments.  Men  who 
were  spectators  to  this  seen  3,  applauded  with  cheers  the 
extraordinary  precision  of  the  firing. 

Rations  were  delivered  to  the  command,  and  then 
they  all  moved  up  again  to  the  attack,  in  the  same  order 
as  that  of  the  day  before.  Going  past  •  the  position  they 
had  occupied  the  previous  night,  they  laid  down  among 
the  cane  while  the  artillery  opened  the  battle. 

Again  the  earth  shook,  and  the  air  vibrated  with  the 
concussion  of  the  cannonading.  The  battle  of  Bislancl 
was  fought  almost  entirely  by  artillery,  the  infantry 
having  but  little  else  to  do  than  to  support  the  batteries. 

The  most  trying  {^ition  for  a  soldier  is  to  place  him 
where  he  is  compelled  to  receive  the  shots  of  the  enemy, 
without  being  able  to  return  his  fire. 

Hour  after  hour,  shot  and  shell  went  plunging  into  'the 
rebel  breast-works,  or  burst  over  the  fort.  The  skirmish 
ers  had  crawled  up  near  enough  to  pick  off  the  enemy's 
gunners,  so  that  they  were  more  reticent  than  the  day 
before,  only  occasionally  responding. 

Some  bullets  came  whizzing  out  of  the  woods ^at  the 
left  of  the  Regiment,  indicating  the  presence  of  the  ene 
my  at  that  point.  The  men  were  ordered  up,  and 
discharged  a  volley  into  the  thicket.  .  At  this  time, 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Babcock,  of  the  Seventy-Fifth  Xew 
York,  rode  up  to  Colonel  Smith,  and  informed  him  that 
he  had  been  ordered  by  General  Weitzel  to  move  his 
Regiment  into  the  woods,  and,  drive  the  enemy  out.  He, 
at  the  same  time,  remarked  he  was  "  going  to  see  what 
was  in  there,"  and  advised  Colonel  Smith,  to  cause  his 
men  to  lie  down,  as  they  would  be  in  line  of  the  enemy's 
fire.  This  judicious  order  was  accordingly  given,  and  the 


144  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

boys  hugged  the  ground  between  the  rows,  or  screened 
themselves  behind  a  few  scattering  trees  or  stumps.  In  a 
short  time  after  the  Seventy-Fifth  had  disappeared,  the 
rapid  rattle  of  musketry  in  the  forest  was  terrific,  while  a 
shower  of  hissing,  singing  bullets  poured  over  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth.  It  was  at  this  time  that  most 
of  those  in  the  Regiment,  killed  or  wounded  at  the  battle 
of  Bisland,  were  struck — while  lying  defenseless  upon  the 
ground.  Among  others  was  George  Ballou,  First  Ser 
geant  of  Company  B,  whose  knee  was  shattered  by  a 
minnie  ball,  and  who  died  at  Brigade  Hospital  at  Brash- 
ear  City,  after  a  struggle  of  several  weeks.  The  Seventy- 
Fifth  did  their  work  thoroughly,  and  after  driving  the 
enemy  away,  came  back  bringing  mShy  wounded,  and  a 
few  prisoners. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  batteries  and  skirmishers  kept  up 
a  deafening  din,  the  low  Avorks  of  the  enemy  being 
clearly  indicated  by  flashes  and  smoke.  The  faint  noise 
of  battle,  across  the  bayou,  added  to  the  confusion  of 
sounds.  As  soon  as  a  battery  had  expended  its  ammuni 
tion,  it  would  limber  up"  and  gallop  to  the  rear  to  receive 
a  new  supply,  and  as  quickly  plunge  into  the  fight  again. 
As  soon  as  one  Company  of  skirmishers  had  exhausted 
its  cartridges,  it  would  be  replaced  by  another. 

The  men  soon  lost  that  nervous,  anxious  look  and 
manner,  so  characteristic  of  recruits,  and  became  accus 
tomed,  to  the  sight  of  carnage,  and  the  fray  of  battle. 
Cool  and  unconcerned,  they  picked  blue-berries  under 
their  feet,  lighted  their  pipes,  cracked  their  jokes,  and 
standing  up  in  exposed  places,  watched  with  interest  the 
progress  of  the  fight.  Shouts  and  cheers  would  go  up, 
when  a  lucky  shot  made  sad  havoc  among  the  rebels,  dis 
abled  their  horses  or  dismounted  a  gun. 


ANB  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  145 

u  There,  take  that,  -will  you  ?" 

"  A  splendid  shot ;  hit  'em  again." 

u  Duck  down,  boys ;  they  are  shooting  this  way." 

"  Hurra !  we've  set  some  of  those  houses  on  fire." 

"  Take  another  gunboat,  will  you  ?" 

Such  were  the  remarks  freely  made,  as  different  pleas 
ing  incidents  occurred.  They  were  particularly  delighted 
upon  seeing  a  party  of  rebel  officers,  who  had  been 
examining  the  Federal  position,  from  the  peak  of  a  sugar 
mill,  suddenly  dislodged,  by  a  shell  exploding  under  the 
roof,  which  sent  shingles,  rafters  and  men  into  the  air. 
Thus  passed  the  afternoon,  until  darkness  stopped  the 
firing,  and  lulled  the  excitement  of  battle. 

A  body  of  troops  moved  up  in  advance  of  the  Brigade, 
and  some  changes  were  made  in  the  formation  of  the 
lines — rthe  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  moving  off  to 
the  right,  some  half  a  mile. 

By  the  light  of  burning  buildings  the  boys  again 
spread  their  blankets  among  the  cane  rows,  and  laid  down 
"to  sleep,  perchance  to  dream" — to  dream  of  quiet 
homes,  and  loving  parents — to  dream  of  comforts  and 
happiness,  around  family  hearth-stones — lost  to  them, 
perhaps,  forever.  Sleep  drove  away  the  forebodings  and 
anxieties  which  pervaded  the  breasts  of  all,  relative  to 
the  charge  which  was  to  take  place  by  daylight  of  the, 
morrow. 

At  5  o'clock  on  the  14th,  the  men  were  called  up  and 
began  to  prepare  themselves  for  the  expected  assault. 
After  a  little  time,  there  seemed  to  be  an  unaccountable 
delay  and  quietness  in  the  movement  of  troops.  It  was 
soon  explained  by  hearing  hearty,  long-drawn  and  dis 
tinct  Yankee  cheers  towards  the  front,  when  looking  in 
that  direction,  a  blue  column  of  infantry  was  seen  passing 
over  the  breast-works  into  the  fort,  without  opposition. 


146  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  enemy  had  evacuated  in^the  night.  General  Grover 
had  settled  the  question,  for  in  their  rear,  he  threatened  to 
capture  their  whole,  army,  if  they  remained  at  Fort 
Bisland.  Cheers  were  taken  up  by  every  regiment  and 
branch  of  the  service,  while  all  commenced  to  move 
forward.  As  they  jumped  the  ditches,  clambered  the 
breast  works,  and  entered  the  fort,  they  saw  the  terrible 
effects  of  the  battle,  and  evidences  of  the  hasty  retreat  of 
the  enemy.  They  passed  long  rows  of  dead,  laid  out  for 
burial,  and  a  few  wounded  left  behind.  The  ground  was 
strewed  with  carcasses  of  horses,  ammunition,  broken 
cannon  and  carriages.  Several  guns  were  left  uninjured 
in  the  works.  The  troops  never  stopped  to  examine  the 
fort  and  captured  material,  but  pushed  on  at  a  rapid 
gait,  after  the  flying  enemy.  Straggling  rebels  were 
captured  in  considerable  numbers,  along  the  road.  They 
passed  the  deserted  camp  of  the  rebel  army,  which  was 
composed  of  huts  neatly  constructed  from  palmetto  leaves, 
presenting  to  military  men,  a  novel  and  interesting  ap 
pearance.  The  rebel  hospital,  a  little  distance  further  on, 
was  an  institution  of  interest,  and  especially  to  the 
medical  officers  of  the  Union  army,  by  many  of  whom  it 
was  visited.  Its  inmates  were  principally  sick  men,  and 
these  in  a  deplorable  condition,  the  wounded  mostly,  or 
those  that  could  be  got  away,  having  been  taken  by 
water  to  Franklin.  It  contained  not  a  single  Confederate 
Surgeon — the  sick  having  been  left  to  the  tender  mercies 
of  the  despised  Yankee. 

A  star  fort,  close  by  the  bayou,  was  also  passed,  which 
looked  as  if  made  with  considerable  labor  and  expense. 

At  Bisland,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New 
York  fully  established  its  valor.  While  it  would  be 
hardly  just  to  close  the  narrative  of  the  battle  without 
some  special  notice  of  the  gallant  spirits  that  engaged 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KKGIMENT.  147 

in  the  fight,  yet  while  all  acted  so  bravely  and  so  well,  it 
would  be  wrong  to  discriminate.  The  names  of  all 
became  a  part  of  the  record.  Every  thing  was  done 
with  good  judgment,  and  perfect  coolness,  and  when 
moved  about  from  point  to  point,  as  duty  called,  it  was 
done  without  reluctance,  or  the  first  indication  of  fear. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  casualties  the  Regiment 
sustained  in  this  battle :  George  Ballou,  First  Sergeant, 
Company  B,  knee.  Isaac  Odell,  Company  D,  thumb. 
W.  II.  Roberts,  Company  D,  head,  from  the  effects  oi 
which  he  died  within  a  few  days.  A.  1ST.  Wheclock, 
Company  H,  neck,  slightly.  George  Peck,  Company  A, 
head,  slightly.  William  F.  Weston,  Company  B,  chest 
and  side.  C.  Tyler,  Company  B,  side.  Franklin  W. 
Fish,  Company  B,  shoulder.  W.  Ernesworth,  Company 
A,  hand. 

Some  estimate  can  be  formed  of  the  character  of  the 
men  and  officers,  upon  that  trying  occasion,  from  the 
following  note  received  by  Colonel  Smith,  from  one  \*4io 
had  ample  opportunity  to  judge  : 

NEW  ORLEANS,  La.,  April  29th,  1863. 
Colonel  E.  B.  Smith,  Commanding  114th  Regt.  N.  Y.  Volunteers— 

DEAR  SIR  : — You  will  permit  me  to  take  an  early  opportunity  to  ex 
press  my  hearty  appreciation  of  the  unflinching  bravery  displayed  by 
yourself,  and  your  Regiment,  in  the  battle  at  CampBisland,  on  the  12th 
and  13th  hist.,  while  in  support  of  the  battery  uader  ray  command. 
During  the  first  engagement,  your  Regiment  was  subjected  to  as 
severe  a  test  as  is  ever  required  to  establish  the  reputation  of  a  Corps; 
and  during  the  long  hours  of  the  following  day,  while  it  was  exposed 
to  anincessamt  artillery  fire,  its  coolness  and  steadiness  were  the  best 
proofs  of  its  bravery  and  determination. 

Please  accept  my  willing  testimony  of  the  fact. 

1  remain,  my  dear  sir,  cordially  yours, 

WILLIAM  W.  CARRUTH, 

Capt.  Sixth  Mass.  Battery. 


148  KKCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XV. 

They  dared  to  march 
So  many  miles  upon  her  peaceful  bosom ; 
Frighting  her  pale-faced  villages  with  war, 
And  ostentation  of  despiteful  arms. 

KIKO  HBWBY  IV. 

The  Regiment  was  now  moving  through  a  country 
never  before  occupied  by  the  Union  army.  The  road 
winding  around  the'  curves  of  the  bayou,  presented  some 
new  scenes  of  interest  or  beauty. 

The  Teche  has  with  much  truth,  been  called  "  The 
Garden  of  Louisiana  " — "  The  Paradise  of  the  South." 
It  lias  indeed  been  doubted,  whether,  in  the  whole  South 
— in  all  the  boasted  spots  of  southern  rural  grandeur — 
could  be  found  more  fertile  plains,  more  elegant  mansions, 
more  wealthy  inhabitants,  a  more  lavish  expenditure  of 
money,  in  gardens,  out-buildings  and  fences,  a  larger 
amount  of  slave  property,  than  was  seen  by  our  troops 
upon  the  first  occupation  of  the  Teche  country.  The 
planters,  for  the  most  part,  left  their  valuable  acquisitions 
upon  the  advance  of  the  patriot  army,  either  from  fear  of 
the  Yankees,  or  from  love  to  the  Confederacy. 

The  men  soon  learned  the  pernicious  habit  of  slily 
leaving  their  places  in  the  ranks,  when  opposite  a  planter's 
house,  to  "  appropriate  "  a  chicken,  or  "  confiscate  "  a 
pig,  or  "  gobble  "  a  few  turnips  and  radishes.  Frequent 
ly  in  entering  the  well  furnished  rooms  of  some  mansion, 
they  would  find  a  table  loaded  with  the  choicest  viands 
and  wines,  which  the  proprietor,  in  his  haste,  had  but 
partly  used,  or  left  untasted. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT. 

When  so  much  wealth  lay  within  the  reach  of  soldiers, 
frequently  they  rendered  themselves  very  ridiculous,  and 
excited  the  merriment  of  their  comrades  by  attempting 
to  appropriate  articles  the  most  cumbersome  and  useless* 
One  was  seen  with  a  large  and  elegant  clock  upon  his 
back,  while  another  was  trudging  along  with  a  family 
Bible  under  his  arm.  "  Confiscation,"  as  it  was  mildly 
termed,  was  such  a  wonderful  propensity,  that  it  even 
induced  one  misguided  soldier  to  attempt  to  carry  off  an 
anvil  on  his  back.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  a  soldier's 
affection  for  such  articles  soon  ceases.  After  he  has  borne 
them  a  few  miles,  he  throws  them  away  for  others  of  the 
same  or  a  different  character,  which  he  gathers  up  and 
admires ;  which,  in  turn,  he  becomes  disgusted  with,  ancJ 
leaves  by  the  way  side.  Thus  it  is  that  the  road  in  the 
rear  of  an  army  is  often  found  encumbered  with  books* 
furniture,  china  ware,  portraits,  ladies'  apparel,  farming; 
utensils,  and  every  portable  thing  that  possibly  can  be 
imagined.  Oftentimes  a  soldier  can  be  found  with  such 
an  enormous  devclopement  of  the  organ  of  destructive- 
ness,  that  the  most  severe  punishments  cannot  deter  him 
from  indulging  in  the  breaking  of  mirrors,  and  pianos,, 
and  the  most  costly  furniture.  Men  of  such  reckless 
dispositions  are  frequently  guilty  of  the  most  horrible 
desecrations,  and  have  often  been  seen,  in  one  of  their 
"  raids,"  dressed  in  the  full  robes  of  a  Catholic  priest,  or 
ornamented  with  the  regalia  of  a  Free  Mason,  while  they 
marched  through  the  dust,  with  guns  upon  their  backs. 

The  most  noticeable  feature  of  the  Teche  campaign,, 
was  the  great  number  of  slaves,  and  the  amusing  manifes 
tations  of  welcome  they  gave  to  their  Yankee  liberators. 
At  every  plantation,  the  road  would  be  lined,  and  the 
tences  covered,  with  grinning  black  faces — men,  women 


150  RECOKD  OF  THE  (XNE  HUNDKED 

• 

and    children,    cOurtesying    and     bowing,    singing   and 
dancing — all  attempting  to  express  their  joy  at  once. 
"  I'se  so  glad  to  see  you  all !" 

"  Glory  to  de  Lord,  he  let  me  see  dis  bressed  day  !v 
"  Are  you  all  Yankees  ?     I  tot  you  all  had  horns  !" 
"  O !  you  ought  .ter  jist  see  old  inars'r  run,  when   In- 
heard  you  was  comin' !" 

These,  and  sundry  other  expressions,  would  call  forth 
from  the  soldiers,  all  manner  of  comments  and  laughable 
replies.  Most  of  them  would  have  their  bundles  all 
ready  to  leave  their  homes,  and  fall  in  with  the  troops 
marching  along.  It  required  the  most  strenuous  exer 
tions  to  keep  the  army  from  being  clogged  with  thou 
sands  of  negroes.  The  roads  were  very  dusty,  and  the 
rays  of  the  sun  scorching,  yet  the  men  were  rapidly 
pushed  after  the  flying  foe. 

Every  hour  a  short  stop  of  a  few  minutes  would  be 
made  for  rest,  and  then  on  again  at  a  swinging  pace.  It 
was  at  one  of  these  halts,  while  the  men  were  reclining 
upon  the  grass  by  the  side  of  the  road,  that  their  atten 
tion  was  attracted  by  hearing,  a  little  distance  ahead,  what 
seemed  to  be  an  order  to  a  skirmish  line,  to  "  Rally  on 
the  reserve."  A  little  investigation  proved  it  to  be  a  new 
version  of  the  tactics ;  for  while  a  throng  of  men  were 
rushing  out  of  a  plantation  house,  each  one  bringing  in 
his  hand  a  jar  or  a  jug,  the  shout  of — "  Rally  on  the  pre 
serves"  was  taken  up  by  every  man.  The  order  was 
obeyed  with  astonishing  rapidity.  They  "  rallied  on  the 
preserves,"  until  aevery  man  in  the  Regiment  Tiad  his  fill 
of  preserved  oranges,  and  citrons,  and  pears,  and  figs, 
and  melons,  and  every  variety  of  jams  and  jellies.-  The 
capacity  of  that  house  for  preserves  was  greater  than 
that  of  the  men.  The  supply  was  not  exhausted  when 
the  column  moved  on. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  151 

Suddenly  there  was  a  loud  report  of  a  cannon,  and  a 
ball  went  ricochet-ting  down  the  road.  "  Oh !  we've  at 
last  found  the  scoundrels  again,"  said  General  Weitzel,  as 
he  moved  his  Brigade  at  double  quick  off  the  road,  into 
the  field,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle.  A  few  more  shots 
were  fired,  and  the  advance  cavalry  reported  that  the 
rebel  rear  guard  had  thrown*  their  field  pieces  into  the 
bayou,  and  were  hurrying  away.  The  troops  again 
resumed  the  road,  which  was  beginning  to  be  strewed 
with  blankets,  overcoats,  and  other  luggage,  which  the 
men  in  their  fatigue  were  throwing  aw*ay,  to  lighten  the 
march. 

The  little  village  of  Centreville  was  passed,  apparently 
deserted,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  handsome,  but 
scowling  ladies  standing  on  the  piazzas,  watching  the 
dusty  "  mudsills  "  as  they  moved  by. 

As  the  army  was  approaching  the  town  of  Franklin, 
five  miles  further  on,  a  large  foundry  was  captured,  with 
all  its  fixtures  uninjured,  which  had  been  of  great  use  to 
the  rebels  in  the  manufacture  of  cannon  and  shot.  There 
appeared  to  be  some  difficulty  in  the  occupation  of  Frank 
lin,  judging  from  the  firing  of  the  cavalry.  Again  was 
Weitzel's  Brigade  formed  in  line  of  battle  in  the  cane 
fields,  and  moved  on  slowly  towards  the  town. 

No  opposition  being  made  to  their  advance,  filing  out 
of  the  fields,  they  entered  the  streets  of  one  of  the  larg 
est  and  prettiest  villages  in  western  Louisiana.  As  the 
fiags  were  unfurled,  and  the  bands  commenced  to  play, 
the  foot-sore  and  weary  soldiers  were  infused  with  new 
energy.  The  laggards  were  all  in  their  places,  stepping 
off  promptly  in  time  to  the  music,  and  the  whole  patriot 
army  presented  an  imposing  spectacle  to  the  astonished 
citizens  of  Franklin.  Scarcely  had  they  advanced  a 


152  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

tew  squares  into  the  town,  before  a  stunning,  deafening 
crash  was  heard.  The  earth  quivered  with  the  violence 
of  the  concussion,  and  the  air  was  filled  with  a  sulphurous 
cloud,  and  flying  sticks  and  timbers. 

The  gunboat  Diana  was  110  more.  Disabled  at  the 
battle  of  Bisland,  she  had  only  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
docks  at  Franklin,  when  the  victorious  army  entered  the 
place.  The  rebels,  accordingly,  set  fire  to  her  magazine, 
and  she  was  blown  to  atoms.  Pier  commander,  Captain 
iSemmes,  son  of  the  notorious  Alabama  Semmes,  was 
•captured  by  our  cavalry,  in  endeavoring  to  escape  from 
the  burning  vessel. 

Marching  beyond  the  town  about  a  mile,  the  Regiment 
went  into  bivouac  on  a  grassy  field,  having  inarched 
fifteen  miles  that  day.  There  they  were  joined  by  Gen 
eral  G  rover's  Division,  who  had  fought  the  day  before, 
near  this  place,  the  battle  of.  Irish  Bend,  which  had 
caused  the  precipitate  evacuation  of  Fort  Bisland. 

Here  he  gained  a  decisive  victory,  but  for  some  unac- 
<jountable  reason,  failed  to  reap  the  fruits  of  victory. 
Why  General  Grover,  after  driving  the  enemy  away  in 
•confusion  at  the  battle  of  Irish  Bend,  should  content 
himself  to  quietly  encamp,  in  the  middle  of  the  day, 
near  the  battle  ground,  when,  by  consulting  the  simplest 
map,  or  .heeding  the  advice  of  his  guides,  he  could  have 
marched  unchecked  but  a  couple  of  miles,  and  easily 
occupied  a  position  that  would  have  stopped  the  retreat 
of  the  rebel  army,  thereby  causing  its  capture — why  he 
did  not  this,  is  one  of  those  questions  that  probably  never 
will  be  answered  ;  yet  the  humblest  private  in  the  ranks 
saw  the  situation,  and  chafed  under  his  restraint. 

Within  a  bend  of  Bayou  Teche  he  lay  the  night  of  the 
13th,  while  across  the  neck  'of  the  peninsula,  the  rebels 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  153 

retreated  upon  the  only  road  leading  out  from  the  lower 
Techc,  which  at  this  point  passed  through  a  swamp  upon 
a  dike. 

If  at  that  time,  a  few  pieces  of  artillery  had  been 
placed  to  bear  upon  this  causeway,  there  would  have  been 
no  more  occasion  for  future  campaigns  and  battles  in 
Western  Louisiana,  and  the  disasters  of  the  Red  River 
Campaign  would  probably  never  have  occurred.  Yet,  as 
the  boys  chatted  by  the  camp  fires  that  night,  they  were 
satisfied  with  the  victories  achieved.  The  rebel  army 
had  become  demoralized,  and  had  lost  over  two  thousand 
prisoners.  In  summing  up  the  glorious  results  of  the 
past  three  days,  they  laid  themselves  down  and  enjoyed 
a  grateful  and  much  needed  rest. 

Early  on  the  15th,  they  were  again  on  the  road  up  the 
Teche.  Shortly  after  sunrise,  they  crossed  the  Indian 
Bend  prairie,  where  they  witnessed  a  beautiful  mirage. 
Then  they  proceeded  again  along  the  banks  of  the  Teche, 
reviewing  the  scenes  of  the  day  before.  Marching  some 
ten  miles,  they  discovered  in  the  distance  a  long  line  of 
rebel  cavalry,  waiting  to  dispute  the  advance  of  the 
army.  Before  the  proper  disposition  had  been  effected 
to  give  them  a  warm  greeting,  the  sound  of  a  steam 
whistle  and  the  sight  of  a  gunboat  caused  them  to  break 
and  gallop  away.  So  the  boys  had  nothing  else  to  do, 
than  to  sit  down  in  the  fields  and  eat  a  hasty  dinner  be 
fore  resuming  the  pursuit. 

General  Banks,  in  the  meantime,  had  made  an  impor 
tant  discovery.  In  attempting  to  form  his  lines  for  an 
attack,  he  found  that  he  had  an  almost]  unmanageable  and 
demoralized  army. 

It  seemed  that  a  few  foot-sore  men  in  the  rear,  seizing 
upon  some  horses  were  enjoying  the  luxury  of  a  ride. 


154  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  example  of  one  man  was  followed  by  that  of  another, 
until  every  plantation  along  the  road  side,  was  rifled  of 
its  stock  of  horses,  mules  and  vehicles,  every  one  seeking 
some  conveyance  less  fatiguing  to  body  and  limbs,  than 
pedestrian  locomotion.  The  practice  became  so  infectious 
that  even  officers  adopted  it,  while  every  hour  the  army 
became, more  and  more  scattered  into  deplorable  con 
fusion.  Company  and  regimental  organizations  lost 
their  identity  among  that  mass  of  horses,  carts  and 
mules. 

Had  General  Banks  been  vigorously  attacked  at  that 
time,  his  army  no  doubt  would  have  been  utterly  ruined, 
He  resolved  to  put  an  end  to  such  evils,  by  prompt  and 
decided  measures.  The  command  was  halted,  and  Com 
pany  K,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  was 
designated  to  move  ahead,  and  establish  themselves  by  a 
large  yard  by  the  road  side,  and  ordered  to  stop  every 
officer  and  man  who  was  riding  without  authority,  arrest 
him,  and  turn  his  horse  or  mule  into  the  enclosure.  As 
the  army  moved  on  again,  the  Company  commenced  its 
labors,  which  continued  without  interruption  till  sun 
down.  General  Banks  sat  upon  his  horse  near  by, 
observing  the  spectacle,  while  his  face  bore  the  evidence 
of  mingled  displeasure  and  chagrin. 

Such  sights  as  were  seen  that  afternoon,  baffle  all 
attempts  at  description.  Footmen  and  horsemen  were 
mingled  together.  Horses  without  bridles  or  saddles 
were  being  conducted  by  rope  halters,  and  loaded  from 
ears  to  tails  with  chickens  and  turkeys.  Oftentimes  the 
road  was  blockaded  by  the  kicking  and  plunging  of 
obstinate  mules  and  fractious  horses.  Huge  plantation 
carts,1  drawn  by  diminutive  donkeys,  were  loaded  clown 
with  lazy  soldiers.  In  one  instance,  some  officers  were 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  155 

laid  out  at  full  length  in  a  hearse,  smoking  their  pipes, 
while  an  ugly  mule  and  a  ragged  negro  driver  were  con 
ducting  them  along  the  road.  A  soldier  was  being  drawn 
by  a  comrade,  on  a  hand  cart.  Wheelbarrows  even  came 
in  use.  An  elegant  barouche,  conveying  some  officers, 
with  eigaretts,  was  drawn  by  a  novel  team  composed  of 
a  cow  and  a  mule.  Skeleton  buggies,  family  carriages, 
doctors'  sulkeys,  butchers'  carts,  daguerrean  cars,  and 
peddlers'  wagons,  were  all  brought  into  requisition  to 
complete  the  amusing,  but  sad  picture.  Verily  there  was 
a  perfect  mania  for  riding. 

It  is  fitting  to  record  the  fact  that  WeitzePs  Brigade 
was  not  engaged  in  these  demoralizing  proceedings,  ex 
cept  to  a  very  limited  extent.  In  the  meantime,  the 
Regiment  was  moved  three  miles  further,  and  bivouaced 
in  a  field,  near  the  Post  Office  of  Jeanerets,  having 
marched  that  day  some  sixteen  miles. 

Early  on  the  16th,  they  resumed  the  march,  still  con 
tinuing  their  course  along  the  Teche,  viewing  the  same 
monotonous  yet  ever  delightful  scenery.  The  experience 
of  the  past  few  days  had  accustomed  the  men  to  march 
ing.  By  this  time  they  had  learned  to  keep  their  places 
and  move  more  steadily,  without  so  much  lameness  and 
fatigue  as  at  first.  In  many  respects,  a  body  of  marching 
troops  is  a  curiosity.  No  where  else  can  one  see  such  a 
peculiar,  swinging,  shambling  gait,  as  old  soldiers  always 
adopt.  It  is  amusing,  too,  to  hear  the  conversation 
carried  on  by  different  parties  as  they  trudge  along. 
Sometimes  they  get  into  a  loud  discussion ;  now  and  then 
they  break  out  into  a  patriotic  song ;  again,  they  will 
imitate  all  manner  of  domestic  or  wild  animals,  thereby 
calling  forth  shouts  of  laughter  from  their  comrades. 


156  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Occasionally  they  will  ask  all  kinds  of  queer  questions 
to  such  persons  as  they  observe  near  the  road. 

After  proceeding  in  this  way  some  nine  miles,  the  army 
lost  the  co-operation  of  the  navy.  The  gunboats  were 
unable  to  accompany  them  any  further,  for  they  found  an 
impassable  barrier  to  the  navigation  of  the  Teche.  The 
rebels  had  scuttled  and  sank  the  Hart,  an  unfinished  iron 
clad,  across  the  channel.  A  few  miles  further  on,  the 
army  entered  the  village  of  New  Iberia,  commonly  called 
by  the  inhabitants  Newtown. 

Near  the  outskirts  of  this  place  the  cavalry  had  u 
severe  skirmish  with  the  rear  guard  of  the  enemy,  killing 
quite  a  number  and  wounding  more.  Moving  four 
miles  beyond  the  village,  the  Regiment  bivouaced  upon  a 
lyw,  rough  piece  of  ground,  within  a  bend  of  the  Teche, 
having  made  during  the  day  about  eighteen  miles.  This 
was  the  longest  march  they  had  performed,  and  consider 
ing  the  overpowering  heat  of  the  day,  as  well  as  the  very 
dusty  condition  of  the  roads,  the  energies  of  the  men 
were  pretty  severely  taxed,  and  that  night  they  laid  down 
overcome  with  weariness. 

During  that  evening,  a  lurid  light  shown  against  the 
eastern  horizon,  and  a  dark  cloud  of  smoke  overshadowed 
the  sky.  It  indicated  the  destruction  of  the  great  rebel 
salt  works,  at  Petit  Anse. 

At  6  o'clock  the  following  morning,  the  17th,  they 
were  again  tramping  the  dusty  road,  continuing  to  follow 
the  windings  of  the  Teche,  which  had  become,  at  this 
point,  a  small  and  narrow  stream,  yet  still  navigable  for 
steamboats.  At  9  o'clock,  they  passed  through  the 
village  of  St.  Martinsville,  the  county  seat  of  the  Parish 
of  St.  Martins.  At  this  place  the  column  left  the  banks 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  157 

of  the  Teche,  and  moved  out  across  an  open  and  perfectly 
level  plain.  After  proceeding  some  five  miles  upon  the 
uncultivated,  grassy  prairie,  the  army  was  halted  several 
hours  to  await  the  construction  of  a  bridge  over  Bayon 
Tortue,  which  had  been  destroyed  by  the  retreating  foe. 

Immediately  after  crossing  the  extemporized  log 
bridge,  the  army  began  to  ascend  a  slope,  which  reminded 
the  men  more  of  a  northern  hill  than  anything  they  had 
seen  before  in  the  state.  Rising  this  some  thirty  feet 
from  the  level  of  the  plain,  they  emerged  into  what  is 
called  the  Attakapas  region,  (pronounced  A-tok-a-pah.) 

The  country  here  is  similar  to  that  of  the  western 
prairies.  It  possesses  a  light  sandy  soil,  with  an  evenly 
rolling  surface,  mostly  devoid  of  fences  and  cultivation. 
It  is  sparsely  covered  with  small  clusters  of  timber,  and 
has  but  few  inhabitants,  who  are  to  a  large  extent  cattle 
raisers.  These  people  live  here  and  there  upon  the  plains, 
in  houses  partly  composed  of  timber  and  partly  of  mud. 

As  our  boys  came  upon  this  table  land,  and  looked  out 
upon  a  vast  extent  of  prairie,  they  were  astonished  in 
beholding  thousands  of  cattle,  grazing  all  around  them. 
As  they  trudged  along  the  road,  unfenced  upon  either 
side,  or  traveled  upon  the  grass  to  save  the  choking 
dust,  they  feasted  in  imagination  upon  fresh  steaks,  and 
livers,  and  choice  bits,  which  they  promised  themselves 
as  soon  as  they  arrived  in  camp. 

At  5  o'clock,  they  bivouaced  by  the  side  of  a  small 
pond,  or  "  sink  hole,"  as  termed  by  western  men.  That 
night  the  Regiment  was  detailed  for  picket  duty.  They 
were  posted  in  the  rear  of  the  camps,  and  all  night  long 
watched  for  the  safety  of  the  sleeping  army. 

At  6  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  18th,  the  pickets 
were  called  in,  and  the  Regiment,  taking  its  accustomed 


158  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

place  in  the  line,  commenced  another  day's  inarch.  Pro 
ceeding  some  three  miles,  they  were  halted,  while  the 
cavalry  was  engaged  in  a  severe  skirmish  with  the 
enemy,  who  was  strongly  posted  in  earth  works  upon 
the  opposite  bank  of  a  deep  and  rapid  stream.  Prepara 
tions  were  immediately  made  for  a  general  engagement, 
but  the  cavalry  made  short  work  with  the  demoralized 
army,  and  promptly  drove  them  away,  not  without 
preventing  the  destruction  of  a  valuable  bridge  across 
Bayou  Vermillion.  The  army,  in  consequence,  bivouaced 
upon  the  prairie,  until  the  engineers  could  construct  a  new 
passage.  That  day  and  night  they  remained  quiet,  en 
joying  a  welcome  rest. 

The  boys  eagerly  embraced  the  opportunity  to  bathe 
themselves,  and  wash  their  underclothes  in  the  bayou. 
The  heat  of  the  past  few  days,  which  had  been  intense, 
<eaused  the  most  copious  prespiration,  which,  mingling 
with  the  flying  dust,  had  been  productive  of  the  greatest 
uncleanliness.  N"o  one,  however,  had  been  taken  sick, 
and  it  was  learned  by  experience,  that  active  campaign 
ing  conduces  to  the  health  of  an  army. 

During  the  night  they  remained  in  this  place,  one  of 
the  most  violent  of  southern  thunder  storms  came  up, 
pouring  down  sheets  of  water  upon  their  extemporized 
shelters,  converting  the  prairie  into  a  lake.  In  spite  of 
rubber  blankets,  the  men  were  completely  drenched,  and 
right  glad  to  greet  the  warming  beams  of  the  king  of 
day. 

At  5  o'clock  on  Sunday,  the  19th,  the  army  commenced 
to  move  forward,  but  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
remained  behind.  Strange  orders  had  been  received  by 
Colonel  Smith,  the  purport  of  which  was  that  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  must  turn  back,  gather  up  on 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  159 

the  way  all  the  cattle,  horses  and  sheep  in  the  country* 
and  drive  them  to  Brashear  City,  for  army  use.  These 
orders  were  not  very  graciously  received  by  the  Regi 
ment.  As  far  as  was  consistent  with  military  discipline, 
nearly  all  expressed  their  dislike  at  being  detailed  as 
"  cattle  drivers,"  and  their  regrets  at  not  being  able  to 
remain  with  the  army,  in  its  victorious  career.  Yet,  no 
one  hesitated  in  the  decision  to  perform  faithfully  these 
new  duties. 

Before  the  army  departed,  our  men  enjoyed  the  satis 
faction  of  receiving  the  following  General  order,  issued 
at  this  date : 

HEADQUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  OF  THK  GULF,  19TH  ARMY  CORPS,  f 
CORTEGELE,  near  Vermilionville,  April  19,  1863.          i" 

GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  28. 

The  morning  salute  celebrates  the  anniversary  of  the  battles  of 
Lexington  and  Concord  in  1775,  and  the  assault  upon  American  troops 
in  Baltimore  in  1861.  The  day  is  consecrated  to  Union  and  Liberty. 
Soldiers,  you  have  exhibited  your  devotion  to  its  hallowed  memories 
and  the  principles  it  represents.  In  peace  you  contributed  in  every 
professional  and  industrial  pursuit  to  the  prosperity  and  power  which 
gave  a  world-wide  renown  to  the  American  States.  In  war  you  have* 
learned  to  endure  fatigue,  suffered  deprivations,  conquered  difficulties 
and  achieved  victories.  In  three  months  you  have  become  soldiers. 
You  have  defeated  the  enemy,  dispersed  his  army  and  destroyed  his 
navy.  In  twenty  days  you  have  marched  300  miles,  fought  four  en 
gagements,  expelled  him  from  his  fortifications,  driven  him  at  tho 
point  of  the  bayonet  from  Berwick's  Bay  to  Opeloiisas,  captured  ten 
guns  and  two  thousand  prisoners,  including  some  of  his  best  officers 
of  all  arms,  and  made  the  reorganization  of  his  forces  for  the  present 
impossible,  by  depriving  him  of  all  the  material  resources  of  war — 
destroying  his  foundries  and  demolishing  his  salt  works,  that  for  two 
years  have  sustained  the  life  of  the  Confederacy.  The  navy  of  the 
Gulf  shares  in  fehe  honors  of  the  campaign.  It  has  encountered  and 
dispersed  the  fleet  of  the  enemy,  and  sunk  the  Queen  of  the  West. 
To-day  it  will  reduce  t1%  fortifications  at  Butte-a-la  Rose,  and  open  the 


160          KECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Atchafalaya  to  the  Red  river,  and  the  Courtableau  to  Washington  of 
Iioaisiana. 

"Let  us  be  grateful  to  Him  who  giveth  us  the  victory,  and  true  to  the 
cause  we  defend.  New  glories  are  before  us.  The  Army  of  the  Gulf 
will  command  the  attention  of  the  people,  and  every  eye  be  fastened 
upon  its  movements.  Let  us  honor  the  flag  we  bear,  and  remember 
that  to  defy  danger  is  to  drive  it  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy. 
By  command  of  Major  General  BANKS  : 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  JIEOIM-ENT.  101 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

He  turn'd  me  back 
With  joyful  tidings. 

KING  HENBY  IV. 

Ch.  Just.    Come  all  his  forces  back  ? 
Gow.    No ;  fifteen  hundred  foot,  five  hundred  horse. 

IBID. 

Presently  the  Regiment  commenced  its  retrograde 
movement.  Gradually  the  men  stretched  out  in  a  cordon 
lor  miles  across  the  plains,  driving  the  herds  of  cattle  be 
fore  them.  Every  planter  was  compelled  to  relinquish 
his  claims  upon  horses,  and  bridles,  and  saddles,  as 
Colonel  Smith  had  given  instructions  to  seize  every  thing 
that  could  serve  to  mount  his  Regiment.  The  cattle 
proved  so  wild  that  it  was  found  very  difficult  for  foot 
men  to  drive  them.  At  noon  they  met  their  old  friends 
of  Company  K,  who  were  left  behind  at  the  time  the 
army  was  deprived  of  its  horse  and  wagon  locomotion, 
and  had  been  endeavoring  ever  since  to  join  the  Regi 
ment.  Tliey  turned  about  and  joined  in  the  cattle  hunt. 

But  a  few  miles  had  been  traversed  before  a  large  part 
of  the  Regiment,  were  galloping  about  on  mustang  and 
Creole  ponies.  It  wras  exhilarating  sport  for  the  boys, 
after  the  fatiguing  labors  to  which  they  had  been  subject 
ed.  They  had  considerable  difficulty  in  driving  their 
herd  down  the  narrow  slope,  and  across  the  bridge  over 
Bayou  Tortue,  but  finally  by  night  fall  they  had  collected 
several  thousand  beeves  upon  the  plains  of  St.  Martins. 
They  bivouaced  that  night  within  two  miles  of  St. 


162          RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRET* 

Martinsville.  A  part  of  the  Regiment  was  detailed  to 
guard  the  drove,  but  in  spite  of  all  precautions,  large 
numbers  escaped  in  the  darkness.  Upon  the  following 
day  they  busied  themselves  in  gathering  up  the  scattered 
animals,  and  in  collecting  a  drove  of  sheep. 

A  provost  guard,  under  Lieutenant  Eddy,  was  sent  to 
the  village,  who  succeeded  in  capturing  a  number  of 
prisoners,  seizing  a  lot  of  quinine  and  other  valuable 
property. 

As  the  Regiment  had  been  directed  to  live  upon  the 
country,  corn  meal  and  bacon  were  eagerly  sought  after, 
yet  the  boys  could  find  but  very  little  else  to  eat  than 
fresh  meat.  Large  quantities  of  villainous  liquor,  called 
"  Louisiana  rum,"  was  destroyed  for  fear  of  its  injurious 
effects  upon  the  men.  Every  sugar  mill  in  the  country. 
was  stored  full  of  sugar  and  molasses,  and  the  gin  houses 
were  packed  with  immense  quantities  of  cotton.  With 
out  transportation  it  was  impossible  to  carry  off  these 
rich  treasures,  of  such  benefit  to  the  Government. 

The  slaves  were  not  encouraged  to  leave  the  planta 
tions,  as  the  Regiment  was  already  burdened  with  more 
than  it  could  possibly  care  for,  and  the  orders  did  not 
include  the  confiscation  of  this  kind  of  property.  The 
day  of  their  liberation  had  not  yet  fully  come. 

On  Tuesday,  the  21st,  the  Regiment  moved  on  through 
the  village,  and  some  three  miles  beyond,  where  they 
bivouaced  011  the  grounds  of  a  deserted  plantation. 

Good  news  was  heard  from  the  £unboats.  After  re 
turning  down  the  Teche,  they  had  proceeded  up  Grand 
Lake,  attacked  and  captured  the  much  boasted  Fort  at 
Bute  la  Rose,  which  General  Banks  termed  "  the  key  of 
the  Atchafalaya."  Upon  this  Lake,  scarcely  a  week  be 
fore,  it  will  be  remembered,  that  the  Queen  of  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  R  KG  F  ME  NT.  16P> 

a  rebel  iron  clad,  formerly  a  United  States  gunboat, 
which  was  captured  near  Gordon's  Landing,  on  Red 
River,  in  February,  was  set  on  fire  and  destroyed. 

On  the  morning  of  the  22d,  it  Avas  found  that  one  of 
the  prisoners,  a  rebel  Lieutenant,  had  made  his  escape. 
Slowly  the  troops  moved  again,  driving  their  cattle 
before  them.  Tn  the  afternoon  they  bivouaced  near  the 
place  they  occupied  upon  going  up  the  country,  some 
three  miles  from  New  Iberia.  Here  the  Regiment  rested 
another  day,  in  the  shade  of  a  fine  wood,  with  the  excep 
tion  of  Company  B,  who  having  been  mounted,  was 
detailed  to  drive  a  part  of  the  herd  in  advance  to  Brash- 
ear  City.  The  detachment  accomplished  their  journey  in 
three  days,  saw  their  stock  across  the  bay,  and  a  portion 
of  it  on  the  way  by  rail  to  New  Orleans,  before  the 
Regiment  arrived. 

Colonel  Smith,  for  the  time  being,  located  his  Head 
quarters  in  Newtown,  and  endeavored  to  establish  some 
kind  of  law  and  order  in  that  distracted  district, 

On  Friday,  the  24th,  the  Regiment  moved  on  about  ten 
miles,  and  rested  at  dark  by  the  side  of  the  road.  The 
men  were  beginning  to  suffer  much  for  lack  of  proper 
food,  which,  except  fresh  meat,  had  become  insufficient  in 
quantity  aiid  bad  in  quality.  They  managed,  however, 
to  satisfy  their  appetites,  in  part,  and  their  desires  for  a 
little  more  variety,  with  black-berries,  which  grew  iu 
large  quantities  in  the  fields. 

The  next  day  they  marched  twelve  miles,  to  Indian 
Bend,  and  IN  vouaced  at  night  near  the  rebel  barracks  at 
that  place.  Quartermaster  Foot  went  on  to  Franklin, 
and  succeeded  in  drawing  a  few  rations.  Late  in  the 
evening  lie  arrived  in  camp,  when  shouts  of  joy  were 
heard. 


164  RECORD  OF  tllE  ONE  HUNDRED 

"  Hurra  for  the  Quartermaster !" 

"  Hurra,  boys  !  we  'vc  got  some  hard  tack  !" 

u  How  are  you^  old  hard  tack  ?" 

Every  one  was  soon  busy  with  his  delicious  repast, 

"  And  mounch'd,  and  monnch'd  and  mounch'd," 

like  the  sailor's  wife  in  Macbeth,  regardless  of  the  fact 
that  the  bread  was  mouldy  and  wormy.  Another 
wretched  night  was  passed,  between  cat-naps  and  tor 
menting  wakefulness,  caused  by  myriads  of  fleas. 

On  Sunday,  the  26th,  they  marched  some  twelve  miles, 
and  stopped"  over  night  in  a  pleasant  grove  about  a  mile 
below  Centreville. 

The  following  day,  they  passed  the  ruins  of  Fort  Bis- 
land,  where  a  party  of  soldiers  and  negroes  were  at  work 
levelling  the  earth  works,  and  otherwise  destroying  the 
fort.  Everything  here  bore  evidence  of  the  terrible 
effects  of  war.  Just  inside  the  works,  the  formerly  ele 
gant  residence  of  Thomas  Bisland  presented  the  saddest 
picture  of  all.  The  magnificent  mansion  had  been 
burned  to  the  ground  ;  flojvev  gardens  trampled  by  march 
ing  columns ;  marble  statues  were  broken,  and  lay 
prostrate  on  the  ground  ;  bowers  and  summer  houses 
were  overthrown  ;  the  fountain  in  the  front  yard  was 
dry.  Over  the  grounds  were  scattered  pieces  of  fencing, 
shot,  and  fragments  of  shell,  and  mounds  of  new  made 
graves.  The  outbuildings,  too,  gave  evidence  of  the 
general  destruction,  the  brick  sugar  mill  being  riddled 
through  and  through  with  cannon  balls,  destroying  the 
finest  engines  and  machinery. 

The  Regiment  passed  on  through  Pattersonville,  and 
encamped  for  the  night  six  miles  from  Brashear  City,  up 
on  a  grassy  slope,  on  the  banks  of  the  Atchafalaya. 


AXD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  165, 

At  1 0  o'clock  on  the  28th,  the  boys  came  in  sight  of 
their  welcome  destination.  It  was  a  beautiful  and  exhil 
arating  sight  to  look  across  the  smooth  waters  of  the 
bay,  and  see  the  white  camps  and  the  fort,  with  the  stars 
and  stripes  floating  over  it,  and  the  trim  looking  gunboats 
lying  at  anchor,  and  the  locomotives  moving  about  the 
depot.  Everything  presented  an  animating  appearance^, 
and  spoke  of  Yankee  energy  and  enterprise. 

Before  noon,  the  Regiment  had  crossed  the  bay  on  the 
steamboat  JKepper,  and  had  again  occupied  their  old 
quarters,  the  tents  remaining  the  same  as  they  left  them 
three  weeks  before. 

Notwithstanding  the  fatigue  of  the  past  campaign, 
officers  and  men  went  immediately  to  work,  cleaning  up 
the  camps,  and  drawing  new  clothes  to  replace  their 
ragged  and  dirty  garments.  Their  feet  were  re-shod 
with  new  shoes,  and  abundant  rations  distributed  to  the 
hungry  men.  The  officers  were  busy  with  their  neglected 
papers,  and  filling  out  new  muster  rolls,  so  that  on  the 
30th,  the  Regiment  might  be  in  readiness  to  be  mustered 
for  pay.  On  that  day  orders  were  received  to  return 
immediately  to  New  Iberia.  So  vanished  all  the  bright 
visions  of  rest  and  enjoyment  in  camp. 

On  the  morning  of  May  1st,  the  Regiment  was  paid  by 
Major  Farmer.  Then  there  was  a  rush  upon  the  Sutlers,, 
to  purchase  with  their  well-earned  greenbacks  little  knick- 
knacks  and  eatables  for  their  journey. 

At  2  o'clock  on  that  day,  the  Regiment  went  aboard 
the  elegant  and  commodious  steamer  Empire  Parish.  It 
was  joyful  news  to  the  men  to  learn  that  they  were  to 
have  water  transportation,  and  therefore  could  take  their 
knapsacks  containing  all  their  little  comforts.  The  big 
bell  had  ceased  ringing,  the  whistle  had  sounded  the  last 


RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

time,  and  the  powerful  boat  was  steaming  rapidly  across 
the  bay,  to  the  mouth  of  the  Atchafalaya.  The  men  en 
joyed  the  ride  that  afternoon,  as  upon  the  high  decks 
they  reviewed  the  beautiful  scenery  of  the  Teclie  country. 
They  had  some  difficulty  in  passing  the  wreck  of  the 
•gunboat  Cotton,  and  frequently  were  stopped  by  floating 
bridges  being  swung  across  the  channel.  A  few  whistles 
would  usually  bring  forth  several  negroes  on  the  bank, 
who  would  tug  at  the  windlass  to  open  the  bridge  to  let 
pass  the  Yankee  boat.  At  sundown,  the  Empire  Parish 
tied  up  at  the  dock  at  Franklin.  The  Regiment  slept  on 
the  decks  that  night. 

In  the  morning  it  was  learned,  owing  to  her  size,  the 
Empire  Parish  could  not  proceed  further  up  the  Teche. 
The  Regiment,  accordingly,  was  transferred  to  the  pro 
peller  Quinnebaug,  which  Colonel  Smith  with  considera 
ble  difficulty  had  procured.  This  vessel  was  small  and 
oppressively  crowded,  but  their  discomforts  were  slight 
when  compared  to  the  fatigue  of  marching. 

All  the  day  long  they  wound  their  way  among  forests 
and  plantations,  ploughing  through  a  thick  growth  of 
floating  weeds.  At  this  season  of  the  year  the  bayou 
presented  a  very  singular  appearance,  being  in  places 
•entirely  matted  over  with  a  bright  green  carpet  of 
vegetation.  The  curious  plant  which  causes  this  peculiar 
ity  is  an  interesting  study  for  botanists,  and  is  said  to 
-exist  no  where  else  than  in  Bayou  Teche.  Each  plant  is 
a  distinct  individual,  composed  only  of  a  head  of  circular 
corrugated  leaves  some  three  inches  in  diameter,  the 
lower  leaves  lying  upon  the  water  for  support. 
Beneath,  is  a  little  bunch  of  fibrous  roots,  drawing 
aourishment  from  the  water  only.  In  the  winter  months 
~&o  traces  of  this  plant  can  be  found,  but  in  the  warmer 


ANB  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  167, 

seasons  the  water  is  so  covered  with  them  that  the  grassy 
banks  and  bayou  seem  blended  together.  It  is  the  gen 
erally  accredited  theory  of  the  natives,  that  this  plant 
acquires  such  bulk  and  weight  in  the  fall  of  th&  yeaiy 
that  it  sinks  to  the  bottom,  where  it  slowly  decomposes,, 
so  that  in  the  spring  the  capsules  are  unable  to  hold  the 
seeds,  which  from  their  specific  gravity,  rise  to  the 
surface  and  form  new  plants. 

The  boys  as  they  rode  along  could  not  refrain,  now  and 
then,  from  shooting  alligators,  which  were  wallowing  in 
the  mud  of  the  banks.  It  is  as  much  a  part  of  huma» 
nature  to  kill  an  alligator  as  it  is  to  kill  a  snake. 

At  Indian  Village,  situated  on  the  extreme  point  of 
Indian  Bend,  the  boat  ran  hard  aground,  and  while  the 
crew  were  laboring  to  get  her  afloat,  a  number  of  the^ 
boys  jumped  off  and  made  an  exploration  of  the  town. 
They  found  the  astonished  inhabitants  were  mostly  com 
posed  of  every  grade  of  amalgamation  between  Indians- 
and  negroes.  They  appeared,  though,  to  be  thrifty  andr 
wealthy  planters.  The  sugar  mill  of  one  "  straight- 
haired  nigger,"  furnished  for  the  boys  a  good  supply  of 
the  first  quality  of  muscovado. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  the  Qulnnebaug  arrived  at  thc- 
wreck  of  the  Hart,  where  she  tied  up  to  the  bank,  ancl 
the  Regiment  moved  off  the  crowded  decks,  ancl 
bivouaced  near  at  hand,  in  a  beautiful  grove  of  magnolia 
trees.  Here  was  a  gang  of  workmen,  endeavoring  to- 
clear  the  channel  of  the  mass  of  iron  and  timber  which, 
the  gunboat  had  formed.  All  day  and  night  of  the  3$ 
of  May,  the  Regiment  remained  in  the  grove,  nothing  of 
interest  transpiring,  with  the  exception  of  undergoing-  » 
rigid  inspection  of  arms  and  accoutrements. 

On  the  forenoon  of  the  4th,  the  men  strapped  on  their 


108  EECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HtJNDKED 

knapsacks,  and  shouldering  their  guns,  marched  through 
Newtown  and  two  miles  beyond,  where  they  halted  in 
the  yard  of  a  deserted  planter's  house.  The  officers 
occupied  the  well  furnished  rooms,  and  the  men  put  up 
their  little  shelters  around  the  mansion.  The  day  was  an 
extremely  hot  one,  and  the  weight  of  the  knapsacks  was 
so  overpowering  that  there  was  a  great  deal  of  straggling 
in  that  short  march  of  four  miles.  It  was  a  universal 
question,  "  how  can  we  endure  this  climate  in  July  and 
August,  if  this  is  a  specimen  of  May  weather  ?"  Nature 
provided  for  them.  They  were  gradually  acclimated,  so 
that  when  the  heat  of  summer  did  come,  they  did  not 
suffer  more  than  at  this  time. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  169 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

Our  soldiers  shall  march  through. 

KING  HEMEY  IV. 

While  our  men  were  congratulating  themselves  that 
they  would  probably  remain  at  New  Iberia  for  sometime, 
marching  orders  came  to  proceed  to  Opelousas,  and  rejoin 
the  army  at  that  place. 

It  was  a  settled  fact  that  the  men  could  not  carry  their 
knapsacks  in  such  weather,  upon  any  considerable  march, 
and  it  was  decided  that  they  must  be  sent  back. 

They  were  loaded  on  wagons  and  carried  to  the  Quin- 
nebaug,  which  took  them  to  Brashear  City,  under  guard 
of  a  few  men. 

An  examination  was  held  by  the  Surgeon,  and  those 
considered  unfit  to  march  were  also  sent  to  the  rear. 

A  single  army  wagon  was  loaded  with  rations,  when, 
at  6  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  6th,  the  Regiment 
moved  off  in  company  with  the  Twenty-Second  Maine, 
who  were  passing  by  at  that  time. 

Instead  of  going  by  the  way  of  St.  Martinsville,  they 
went  by  the  direct  road  to  Vermilion.  Rising  up 
a  gentle  declivity,  they  came  out  again  upon  the 
prairie  of  the  Attakapas  region.  Soon  they  passed  by 
the  remains  of  Camp  Pratt,  a  former  rebel  camp  of  in 
struction.  Toiling  all  day  across  the  monotonous  plains, 
beneath  a  glaring  sun,  stopping  only  an  hour  for  dinner 
under  the  shade  of  an  artificial  grove  around  the  house  of 
a  cotton  planter,  at  last  they  bivouaced  for  the  night  in  a 


170  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

clump  of  scrubby  trees,  by  a  large  sink  hole,  formed  by 
the  drainage  of  water  into  a  hollow  of  the  prairie.  They 
were  near  the  place  when  they  had  turned  back  on  their 
first  advance.  Henceforth  their  journey  was  through  an 
»  unknown  country. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Per  Lee  was  now  in  command  of 
the  Regiment.  Colonel  Smith,  greatly  to  the  regret  of 
all,  became  so  unwell  at  New  Iberia,  as  to  be  compelled, 
much  against  his  will,  to  return  to  Brashear  City  for 
medical  treatment. 

Very  early  the  next  morning  they  started,  so  as  to 
avoid  as  much  as  possible  the  heat  of  mid-day.  They 
soon  crossed  Vermilion  Bayou,  and  passing  the  abandoned 
fort,  entered  the  village  of  Vermilion,  or,  as  the  inhabi 
tants  usually  call  it  La  Kayette,  (pronounced  Lah  Fi-yet.) 
This  is  a  town  of  some  three  hundred  inhabitants,  with 
two  churches  and  a  convent  as  its  principal  buildings. 

They  had  now  come  into  more  of  an  agricultural  region, 
and  the  boys  enjoyed  the  novel  sight  of  snow-white  fields 
of  cotton,  left  unpicked.  After  marching  some  two  miles 
beyond  the  village,  they  turned  off  a  little  distance  from 
the  road,  and  put  up  during  the  heat  of  the  day  at  the 
deserted  mansion  of  one  Mouton.  This  man  was  said  to 
have  been  the  wealthiest  planter  in  the  parish.  Indeed, 
all  the  leading  men  in  this  neighborhood  gloried  in  the 
name  of  Mouton.  Just  before  entering  the  village,  the 
boys  passed  the  elegant  residence  of  Ex-Governor  Mouton, 
and  lately  President  of  the  Convention  that  caused  the 
secession  of  the  State.  Near  at  hand,  too,  was  the  late 
home  of  General  Mouton,  of  the  army  that  but  a  short 
week  before  wTas  flying  before  the  victorious  advance  of 
Banks. 

After   dinner,  the   men    strolled    over   the  house   and 


AKB  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  171 

grounds  of  the  former  nabob,  and  were  astonished  at  the 
proofs  of  opulence  and  luxury  which  southern  life  afforded. 
When  they  saw  the  Brussels  carpets,  the  mosaic  floors, 
the  frescoed  halls,  the  china  ware,  the  mirrors,  the  solid 
mahogany  furniture,  the  extensive  library,  they  were  re 
minded  of  the  toils  and  sufferings  of  the  poor  slaves,  who 
had  earned  for  their  indolent  masters  such  extraordinary 
wealth.  They  were  amazed  at  the  infatuation  and  mad 
ness  which  could  drive  a  man  away  from  such  enjoyments. 
Yet  upon  reflection  it  did  not  appear  strange,  for  not 
having  labored  himself  for  his  possessions,  he  was  unable 
to  appreciate  their  value. 

By  3  o'clock,  the  Regiment  was  again  on  the  road, 
passing  through  a  fine  rolling  country.  Every  day  they 
passed  over  the  desolating  track  of  Banks'  army.  They 
saw  fences  torn  down  and  burned,  houses  rifled,  fields 
trampled  over,  and  carcasses  of  butchered  cattle.  The 
South  was  reaping  the  whirlwind  of  war ! 

The  men  suffered  considerably  from  thirst,  being  com 
pelled  to  drink  from  sink  holes,  warm,  stagnant  water. 
At  8  o'clock  in  the  evening,  they  bivouaced  in  a  little 
hollow,  by  the  banks  of  Bayou  Carrioncrow,  having 
marched  during  the  day  about  sixteen  miles. 

At  day  light  of  the  8th,  they  were  again  tramping  on 
successively  over  grassy  plains,  through  forests  perfumed 
with  magnolia  blossoms,  occasionally  crossing  some  little 
prairie  stream.  The  country  was  sparsely  inhabited  with 
the  most  ignorant  and  wretched  class  of  Creoles,  unable 
to  speak  the  English  language,  or  convey  an  intelligent 
idea  in  the  national  tongue.  At  rare  intervals,  though, 
they  would  come  to  a  fine  plantation,  betokening  the 
wealth  and  culture  of  its  owner.  In  the  evening,  after 
crossing  Bayou  Bourbeau  they  bivdmiced  upon  the  out- 

12 


172  RECORD  OF  THE  OSK  IIUXDKKD 

skirts  of  the  town  of  Opelousas.  They  learned  upon 
their  arrival  there, -of  the  departure  of  General  Banks  to 
Alexandria,  and  received  orders  to  proceed  to  that  place. 

At  6  o'clock  of  the  9th,  the  Regiment  marched  through 
Opelousas,  with  drums  beating  and  colors  flying,  while 
surly  looking  men  scowled  from  the  street  corners,  and 
unlady-like  women  on  the  verandas,  taking  advantage 
of  the  protection  due  their  sex,  screamed  out  coarse 
epithets  upon  the  "Lincoln  hirelings  and  nigger  thieves.'*. 

Opelousas  is  a  beautiful  town,  containing  before  the 

war    some    three    hundred    souls,   boasting    of   several 

7f 

churches,  a  large  convent  and  a  fine  Court  House.  It  is 
the  country  seat  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Landry,  and  was 
once  the  rebel  Capital  of  Louisiana,  after  the  capture  of 
Baton  Rouge. 

Immediately  upon  leaving  the  village,  they  entered 
upon  a  large  plain,  covered  over  with  the  remains  of 
camps,  where  the  main  army  had  rested  ten  days,  before 
proceeding  to  Alexandria.  After  marching  six  miles, 
they  crossed  a  large  tressel  bridge  over  a  marshy  flat. 
and  entered  the  town  of  Washington. 

"  Wonder  why  they  g-ave  it  such  a  name  of  old  renown. 
This  dreary,  dingy,  muddy,  melancholy  town." 

This  place  is  of  considerable  size,  larger  indeed  than 
Opelousas,  but  was  squalid  and  dirty.  Among  the  boys, 
it  afterwards  went  by  the  name  of  "  nigger-town," 
owing  to  its  great  number  of  black  inhabitants.  Coming 
out  the  northern  edge  of  the  village,  they  came  to  the 
steep  banks  of  Bayou  Courtableau,  a  wide  and  navigable 
stream.  The  number  of  w^are-houses  along  the  bayou 
showed  that  Washington  had  once  been  a  place  of  con 
siderable  business. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMKNT.  173 

The  retreating  rebels,  or  traitorous  citizens,  had  burned 
n  valuable  bridge  across  the  bayou,  but  General  Banks* 
engineers  had  constructed  a  temporary  bridge  of  flat- 
boats,  which  the  Regiment  found  partly  injured,  but 
crossed  upon  it  without  difficulty.  Before  General  Banks 
left  the  place,  he  notified  the  officials  that  if  he  ever  came 
to  Washington  again,  he  should  expect  to  find  a  new 
bridge  at  this  point,  otherwise  he  would  lay  the  town  in 
ashes. 

Within  a  year,  the  army  had  occasion  to  go  that  way 
again,  and  found  a  substantial  bridge  crossing  the  bayou- 
For  a  long  time  the  matter  was  delayed,  but  learning 
that  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  surely  coming  that  way, 
the  people  went  to  work  with  their  carts  and  mules,  and 
all  the  force,  white  and  black,  they  could  command,  to 
save  their  homes  from  ruin. 

Moving  up  on  the  east  bank  of  the  bayou,  the  Regi 
ment  came  to  the  junction  of  Bayous  Boeuf  and 
Cocodrie,  which,  when  united,  form  Bayou  Courtableau. 
At  this  point  is  a  little  settlement  called  Montville. 

They  continued  along  the  banks  of  Bayou  Boeuf,  and 
stopped  for  nooning  within  the  shade  of  a  forest.  This 
day,  if  possible,  was  warmer  than  any  previous  one, 
which  had  caused,  after  leaving  Washington,  considerable 
falling  out,  and  straggling.  Perceiving  the  exhaustion  of 
the  men,  Colonel  Per  Lee  decided  to  move  no  farther 
that  day,  but  to  employ  the  afternoon  in  cleaning  up,  and 
rest. 

A  plantation  house  was  near  at  hand,  where  there  were 
plenty  of  chickens  and  pigs  to  feed  the  hungry.  The 
proprietress  of  the  place,  unlike  many  of  her  neighbors^ 
remained  at  home,  and  stormed  and  fretted  over  "  the 
thieving  propensities  of  the  contemptible  Yankees.'* 


1 74  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Her  daughter,  in  the  meanwhile,  persisted  in  thumping  on 
a  discordant  piano,  and  singing  with  ear-piercing  shrill 
ness  the  tune  of  the"  "  Bonnie  Blue  Flag."  These 
demonstrations,  at  first,  were  only  subjects  of  amusement 
to  the  men  ;  but  when  at  last  the  sounds  of  oaths,  squeals, 
abusive  words  and  shrieks,  mingled  with  the  jarring 
notes  of  the  instrument,  increased  in  intensity,  the  boys 
could  not  help  but  regard  them  as  perfect  nuisances.  A 
few  of  the  handsomest  officers  sought  admission  to  the 
parlor,  and  attempted  to  distract  the  young  lady's  atten 
tion  from  her  piano.  With  flattering  words  they  paid 
her  the  most  extraordinary  compliments.  The  ruse  worked 
beautifully ;  the  piano  ceased ;  the  voice  was  silent ;  the 
boys  outside  were  relieved  of  the  music,  for  the  young 
lady's  heart  was  touched. 

During  the  afternoon,  a  few  of  j^ie  men,  in  rambling 
about,  had  found  a  large  iron  safe,  which,  upon  examina 
tion,  proved  to  be  empty.  They  tumbled  it  over  into  a 
slough  hole,  and  left  it  nearly  covered  with  mud.  Re 
turning  to  camp,  they  selected  a  few  comrades  whom 
they  took  one  side,  and  confidentially  disclosed  to  them 
the  wonderful  discovery  of  an  old  planter's  safe,  at  the 
same  time  enlarging  upon  the  mines  of  wealth  it  proba 
bly  contained.  Their  cupidity  was  instantly  aroused,  and 
slyly  proceeding  to  the  spot,  they  labored  for  hours  over 
knees  in  niud,  with  rails  and  ropes,  with  the  fond  hope  of 
soon  becoming  millionaires.  When  at  last  the  safe  was 
raised,  and  they  found  their  bright  anticipations  dashed 
to  the  ground,  they  desperately  dashed  the  safe  in  the 
mud  again,  and  shrewdly  keeping  the  matter  a  profound 
secret,  proceeded  back  to  camp  to  inveigle  another  party 
of  unsuspicious  men. 

Thus,  during  the  whole  afternoon,  this  practical  joke 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  175 

was  being  perpetrated  upon  successive  parties  of 
avaricious  men,  until  by  evening  a  considerable  part  of 
the  Regiment  had  acquired  a  practical  knowledge  of  the 
sell.  One  party  even  labored  in  the  darkness  of  night  to 
secure  the  coveted  treasure.  Every  man  who  exhibited 
any  mud  upon  his  clothes,  was  marked  for  ridicule. 

During  the  night,  the  faint  booming  of  distant  caimoii 
was  heard.  It  was  the  bombardment  of  Port  Hudson  by 
the  navy,  some  sixty  miles  away. 

By  daylight  on  the  10th,  the  Regiment  moved  out  on 
the  road  for  another  day's  march.  It  Avas  observed  that 
one  of  the  officers  was  absent,  and  that  the  teamsters  did 
not  hitch  up  and  drive  the  wagons  out  wrhen  the  Regi 
ment  moved.  The  mystery  was  soon  cleared  up,  by  its 
being  whispered  through  the  ranks  that  this  officer  had 
secured  the  services  of  the  wagon  master  with  his  mules, 
to  extricate  the  safej^vith  whom  he  was  to  share  part  of 
the  profits  of  the  undertaking.  Late  in  the  afternoon, 
when  the  Lieutenant  showed  his  chop-fallen  countenance 
to  the  Regiment,  his  feelings  were  no  way  relieved  by 
the  shouts  of  laughter  that  greeted  his  appearance.  He 
was  the  last  victim  to  the  "  safe  joke." 

The  road  they  traveled  that  day  followed  the  windings          J 
of  Bayou  Boeuf,  which  is  the  most  singular  stream  in  the^/ 
state.     For  over  sixty  miles  it  pursues  its  winding  course,   \ 
without  any  considerable  tributary,  being  at  every  place     \s 
of  the  same  depth  and  width,  appearing  like  an  artificial 
-canal.     In  speaking  of  this  bayou,  one  of  the  men  queer- 
ly,  if  not  irreverently  remarked,  that  in  the  creation  of 
the  world,  a  certain  amount  of  bayou  had  to  be  disposed 
of  in  Louisiana,  so  it  was  found  necessary  to  crook  them 
in  every  way  possible.     The  surface  of  the  wrater  is  some 
thirty  feet  beneath  the  level  of  the  country,  approached 
by  banks  of  steep  and  even  slope.    Jt  is  derived  from  the 


176  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Red  River,  and  flows  Avith  a  still  and  rapid  current.  It 
is  a  narrow  stream,  but  a  few  rods  wide,  yet  it  is  naviga 
ble  by  a  species  of  canal  boat,  propelled  by  horses  upon 
the  bank. 

After  marching  twelve  miles,  through  a  poor  and  part 
ly  uncultivated  region,  the  Regiment  halted  for  the  day 
in  the  shady  door  yard  of  a  fat  and  good  natured  planter. 

But  few  slaves  appeared  to  be  owned  in  this  district, 
and  the  people  seemed  to  do  their  own  work  upon  their 
farms,  which  did  not  exhibit  many  proofs  of  much  labor 
and  care.  The  houses  were,  for  the  most  part,  unpaintcd, 
and  scantily  furnished. 

The  planter  at  whose  home  the  Regiment  had  stopped, 
knew  but  very  little  of  the  war,  and  cared  less.  In  view 
of  his  kindly  disposition,  as  well  as  his  poverty,  the  men 
carefully  abstained  from  injuring  any  part  of  his  proper 
ty.  The  officers  slept  that  night  ftipon  the  veranda, 
which  ran  along  the  front  of  his  house. 

The  following  morning,  the  Regiment  was  again  follow 
ing  the  course  of  Bayou  Boeuf.  Towards  noon,  they 
came  into  a  better  agricultural  country.  Here  the 
residences  and  sugar  mills  were  as  extensive  and  elegant 
as  upon  Bayou  Teche.  Here,  too,  the  lordly  proprietors 
ad  deserted  their  homes  at  the  approach  of  the  hated 

ankees. 

After  marching  fifteen  miles,  the  Regiment  put  up  for 
the  night  in  the  village  of  Holmesville,  which  consisted 
of  a  store  and  five  or  six  houses.  They  bivouaced  in  a 
piece  of  woods  by  the  side  of  the  road,  but  most  of  the 
men,  during  the  night,  slept  in  the  vacant  store,  while 
the  officers  occupied  a  deserted  residence.  The  only  in 
habitant  that  appeared  to  occupy  this  forlorn  village,  was 
an  old  school-master,  who  pretended  to  have  been  a, 
native  of  Herkimer  County,  New  York. 


FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  177 

On  the  12th,  they  moved  on  again  along  the  banks  of 
the  Boeuf,  through  a  fertile  and  prosperous  country. 

At  noon,  while  the  boys  were  taking  a  siesta,  a  courier 
passed  along  the  road,  and  gave  the  information  that 
Port  Hudson  had  surrendered.  This  statement  appeared 
so  well  authenticated,  that  Colonel  Per  Lee  caused  the 
Regiment  to  give  three  cheers  and  discharge  a  volley  in 
honor  of  the  event.  Useless  expenditure  of  enthusiasm 
and  ammunition !  In  less  than  three  weeks  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  fighting  rebels  at  Port 
Hudson. 

During  the  day  they  passed  the  plantations  of  Ford 
and  Epp,  who  were  once  owners  of  the  famous  Solomon 
Northrup. 

Having  marched  fifteen  miles,  the  Regiment  put  up  for 
the  night  in  a  door  yard,  in  the  beautiful  village  of  Che 
ney  ville.  A  shor|;  time  after  their  arrival  the  skies 
clouded  up,  and  gave  evidence  of  a  violent  rain  storm. 
The  Colonel  told  the  men  to  seek  shelter  for  the  night 
wherever  they  might  find  it.  Instantly  the  boys  were 
scattering  over  the  town,  seeking  for  lodgings.  Every 
bed  in  the  vacant  hotel  sustained  a  brace  of  soldiers  that 
night.  Every  cushioned  pew  in  the  churches  had  its  occu 
pant.  Even  the  carpeted  pulpits  and  altars  were  filled 
with  sleepy  men.  Through  the  whole  night  the  rain 
poured  in  torrents,  but  in  the  morning  the  clouds  cleared 
away,  and  the  Regiment  moved  oft*  in  the  sunshine  upon 
the  muddy  road,  comforted  with  the  thought  that  they 
had  but  thirty-two  miles  further  to  travel  before  arriving 
at  their  destination. 

Before  they  had  proceeded  a  mile,  they  met  a  courier 
with  the  news  that  the  army  had  left  Alexandria,  and 
with  orders  from  General  Banks  for  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  to  return  to  Brashear  City. 


178  RECORD  OF  TUB  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

You  have  among  you  many  a  purchased  slave, 
Which,  like  your  asses,  and  dogs,  and  mules. 
You  use  in  abject  and  in  slavish  parts, 
Because  you  bought  them  :— Shall  I  say  to  you, 

Let  them  be  free  ? 

MKKCHANT  OF  VKSUCB. 

So  other  foes  may  set  upon  our  backs. 
Stand  we  in  good  array  \  for  they,  no  doubt. 
Will  issue  out  again,  and  bid  us  battle : 
If  not,  the  city  being  but  of  small  defense, 
We'll  quickly  rouse  the  traitors  in  the  same. 

KING  HBNEY  VI. 

A  weary  road  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles  had  again 
to  be  traversed.  No  wonder  that  our  men  were  discour 
aged,  when  it  was  known  that  they  were  short  of  rations, 
that  their  shoes  were  nearly  worn,  and  that  rebel  bands 
were  concentrating  in  their  rear. 

With  sad  hearts  the  Regiment  countermarched,  and 
passed  again  through  Cheney vi lie.  A  few  miles  of 
tramping  wore  away  the  depressed  spirits  of  the  men. 
while  with  jokes  and  laughter  they  resumed  their  accus 
tomed  glee. 

About  two  miles  beyond  Cheney  vilie,  they  met  Captain 
Fitts,  who  had  come  from  New  Orleans  with  the  informa 
tion  that  the  last  muster-rolls  had  been  erroneously  filled, 
and  should  be  corrected  at  once.  Accordingly,  the 
Regiment  put  up  at  the  nearest  plantation,  to  permit  the 
officers  to  re-write  their  rolls.  The  house  was  turned 
topsy-turvey  to  find  tables  and  chairs,  and  the  rooms 
were  filled  with  busy  scribblers,  to  the  great  horror  of 
the  female  members  of  the  family.  With  close  applica- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  179 

lion  the  work  was  finished  late  in  the  evening,  so  that  on 
the  morning  of  the  14th  the  Regiment  was  again  march 
ing.  Encountering  several  showers  on  the  way,  they 
bivouaced  upon  the  old  ground,  at  Holmesville.  The 
men  took  shelter  again  from  the  rain,  in  the  store-house. 

On  the  following  morning,  the  roads  were  so  very 
muddy  that  it  was  determined  to  remain  over  another 
day  at  Holmesville. 

Nothing  of  interest  occurred  on  the  13th,  except  that 
the  New  York  schoolmaster  was  arrested,  and  kept  in 
confinement,  for  abusing  the  men  with  the  most  offensive 
of  Louisiana  expressions. 

A  number  of  the  men  strolled  out  to  the  neighboring 
plantations  and  feasted  upon  inilk  and  vegetables. 

On  the  10th,  the  roads  being  much  improved,  the  Reg- 
ment  made  eighteen  miles,  and  bivouaced  in  a  door  yard, 
as  usual.  The  citizens  of  the  Boeuf  country  will  bear 
witness  to  the  fact,  that  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  had  a  strange  fondness  for  door  yards.  Within 
such  enclosures,  they  found  the  smoothest  grass  to  lie 
upon,  and  the  most  inviting  shade.  In  close  proximity 
to  a  house  they  found  good  cistern  water,  and  wood,  and 
now  and  then  "  a  trifle  of  something  good  to  eat." 

In  view  of  such  advantages,  they  were  permitted  to 
monopolize  those  places  most  conducive  to  rest.  Trudg 
ing  along,  faint  and  weary,  in  the  noon-tide  sun,  or 
approaching  night-fall,  when  nature,  tired  and  exhausted, 
wooed  for  rest,  the  boys  would  often  remark :  "  We 
shall  not  stop  here ;  this  is  not  a  white  house,  and  there 
is  no  white  fence  around  the  door  yard." 

Moving  forward  on  the  17th,  they  stopped  for  dinner, 
at  the  same  place  where  they  had  bivouaced  just  a  week 
before.  There  they  found  the  safe  ready  for  other 


ISO  KECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

victims,  and  there  they  heard  a  familiar  voice,  singing 
the  "  Bonnie  Blue  Flag."  Passing  over  the  boat  bridge, 
and  through  the  streets  of  Washington,  they  stopped 
two  miles  from  Opelousas,  in  a  door  "yard.  The  Chap 
lain  arrived  in  the  evening  with,  a  large  mail — the  first 
communication  with  the  outside  world  since  leaving 
Brashear  City.  He  also  brought  the  welcome  news  of 
the  capture  of  Fredericksburgh.  The  Regiment  was 
drawn  up  in  line,  and  gave  three  hearty  cheers  over  the 
event — an  event  which  a  few  days  later  they  learned, 
much  to  their  disappointment  and  regret,  had  not  yet 
transpired. 

Early  the  following  day,  they  marched  through  Ope 
lousas,  where  the  only  decent  treatment  they  received 
was  from  the  nuns,  who,  standing -on  the  verandas  of  the 
convent,  with  sober  yet  kind  looks,  gazed  upon  the  mov 
ing  column. 

About  four  miles  beyond  the  town,  they  halted  in  front 
of  the  residence  of  the  rebel  General  Pratt,  where  they^ 
had  stopped  for  dinner  on  their  advance,  ten  days  before. 
They  remained  here  that  day,  and  the  two  following,  the 
men  having  become  weary  and  sore-footed.  They  enjoy 
ed  themselves  in  gathering  black-berries,  making 
molasses  candy,  and  in  parching  corn,  but  more 
especially  in  eating  such  luxuries. 

Their  situation,  however,  was  not  rendered  altogether 
easy,  in  consequence  of  rumors,  confirmed  by  "  reliable 
contrabands,"  that  a  rebel  force  was  being  concentrated 
in  Vermilionville,  to  dispute  their  passage.  The  last  day 
and  night  they  remained  at  this  place,  it  was  deemed 
advisable  to  throw  out  a  line  of  pickets,  which  was  ac 
cordingly  done. 

While  here,  Colonel  Per  Lee  received  orders  to  report 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  181 

to  Colonel  Chickering,  of  the  Forty-First  Massachusetts,  , 
who   was   in   command   of   a   considerable   force   lately 
encamped   at  Barre's  Landing,   on    Bayou   Courtableau, 
but   which   had   already   commenced    to  move   towards 
Brashear  City. 

Barrels  Landing  was  a  base,  or  depot  of  supplies  for  the 
army  while  operating  in  Western  Louisiana,  and  when 
the  main  body  left  for  another  field,  it  was  ordered  that 
scattered  Regiments  and  detachments  gather  up  all  the 
property  they  could,  and  abandon  the  country. 

At  4  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  21st,  the  Regiment 
bid  adieu  to  the  not  over  nice  habitation  of  the  quondam 
General,  to  form  a  junction  with  the  troops  of  Colonel 
Chickering. 

It  was  the  plan  of  Colonel  Per  Lee,  to  suddenly  break 
off  from  the  direct  road,  and,  joining  these  forces  some 
eight  miles  to  the  east  of  Vermilionville,  elude  the  rebels 
before  they  could  be  informed  of  this  movement.  By 
taking  this  route,  the  Regiment  would  pass  entirely 
around  the  rebel  army  and  fortifications. 

After  proceeding  a  short  distance,  they  turned  to  the 
left,  and  under  the  guidance  of  a  citizen,  marched  across 
fields  and  through  a  dense  forest,  about  two  miles  and  a 
half,  when  they  came  out  on  another  road. 

At  8  o'clock,  they  passed  through  the  village  of  Grand 
Coteau,  with  bands  playing  and  colors  flying.  This 
village  is  an  old  Jesuit  settlement,  composed  mostly  of 
public  buildings,  such  as  a  college  and  convent,  and  whose 
principal  inhabitants  are  black-robed  priests  and  nuns. 
Here,  out  upon  the  wide  plain,  is  one  of  the  finest 
church  edifices  in  the  state. 

The  Regiment  stopped  on  the  street  a  short  time  to 
rest,  and  to  wait  for  the  wagons  which  had  been  delayed 
by  moving  upon  a  round-about  road. 


182  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDMSD 

Pursuing  their  course  through  magnolia  forests,  they 
arrived,  at  noon,  at  the  junction  of  Bayou  Fusilier  with 
Bayou  Teche.  Here  was  a  rebel  hospital  filled  with 
wounded  men,  who  had  been  brought  up  on  steamboats 
from  Fort  Bisland.  This  being  the  head  of  navigation 
on  the  Teche,  the  rebels  removed  their  wounded  to  a 
large  store-house,  nnd  burned  the  steamboats.  Their 
charred  hulks  and  the  blackened  ruins  of  the  bridge,  with 
piles  of  partly  consumed  corn,  filled  the  bayou. 

Crossing  over  Bayou  Fusilier,  the  Regiment  halted  for 
dinner  in  a  piece  of  wood.  At  this  time  they  discovered 
the  column  of  troops  under  Colonel  Checkering,  moving 
down  upon  the  opposite  banks  of  the  bayou. 

Here  they  commenced  to  carry  into  execution  more 
fully  the  order  for  the  confiscation  of  all  kinds  of  proper 
ty.  Upon  the  east  sids  of  the  Teche,  Colonel  Chickering 
seized  and  carried  off  all  the  available  property,  particu 
larly  the  slai7es,  while  Colonel  Per  Lee  performed  the 
same  duty  upon  the  west  side?  The  entire  country  was 
deprived  of  its  laboring  population.  Every  hour  that 
they  advanced  added  to  the  throng  of  negroes  they  had 
collected.  Every  plantation  furnished  its  quota  to  the. 
black  multitude.  Consternation  preceded  the  movement 
of  the  soldiers,  and  the  planters  devised  every  means  to 
conceal  their  slaves.  Yankee  ingenuity  and  cunning, 
though,  generally  frustrated  all  their  plans,  and  seeking 
out  the  hiding  places  of  Afric's  sable  sons,  the  boys 
would  liberate  thousands  of  dollars  of  human  property. 

It  was  the  most  interesting  and  amusing  duty  the  Reg 
iment  ever  performed,  and  was  replete  with  many  droll 
and  exciting  incidents.  The  blacks  usually  entered  into 
the  arrangement  with  much  eagerness  and  delight,  while 
the  planters  looked  on  perfectly  thunderstruck  at  the  in 
fidelity  of  their  servants,  and  the  audacity  of  the  "  black 


A>iD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  183 

hearted  abolitionists."  The  owners  wisely  kept  their 
tongues,  but  often  looked  as  though  they  would  like  to 
give  vent  to  curses,  if  they  dared. 

Thus  the  Regiment  slowly  toiled  on,  through  mud  and 
rain,  until  at  night  they  halted  in  the  front  yard  of  a  fine 
residence.  The  negroes  made  such  arrangements  for 
their  night's  rest  as  best  they  could. 

They  were  now  opposite  the  rebel  forces  at  Vermilion- 
ville,  and  every  precaution  was  taken  to  prevent  the 
enemy  from  gaining  any  knowledge  of  their  where 
abouts. 

While  the  men  were  preparing  a  scanty  supper,  the 
lady  of  the  house  came  out  on  the  gallery,  and  inquired 
for  the  Colonel.  Upon  his  being  pointed  out  to  her,  shet 
in  a  theatrical  manner,  expatiated  upon  her  love  for  the 
Union  and  the  good  old  flag,  and  finally  asked  if  there 
was  not  in  the  Regiment  a  band  of  music.  Upon  being 
informed  that  there  was,  she  expressed  a  great  desire  to 
hear  some  of  those  good  old  Union  tunes  she  loved  so 
well,  but  hadn  't  heard  in  so  long.  The  Colonel,  of 
course  politely  complied  with  the  request,  and  she  listened 
to  the  stirring  music  with  apparent  satisfaction  and 
delight. 

While  all  this  was  going  on,  a  soldier  had  discovered 
that  some  negroes  were  making  signals  of  distress  from 
the  attic  windows,  in  the  rear  of  the  house.  On  examin 
ation,  it  was  found  that  a  number  of  slaves  had  been 
locked  up  in  the  garret,  to  prevent  them  from  running 
off  with  the  "  Yankees."  A  ladder  was  quickly  impro 
vised  by  the  boys,  and  placed  up  to  the  window,  and  a 
file  of  men,  women  and  children,  crawled  out  and  down 
the  ladder,  to  seek  protection  under  the  flag  of  freedom. 
When  the  theatrical  proprietress  ascertained  tli.it  her 


184  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

slaves  had  absconded,  she  forgot  her  Union  sentiments, 
and  frantically  poured  forth  a  torrent  of  treasonable 
expressions,  heaping  all  manner  of  maledictions  upon  the 
"  vile  desecrators  of  southern  homes." 

Such  proceedings  were  sources  of  amusement  to  the 
boys,  who  averred  that  it  was  the  best  shoAV  that  they  had 
ever  seen.  Finally,  her  rage  exceeded  all  feminine 
bounds,  when  she  saw  a  squad  of  soldiers  returning  from 
the  swamps,  with  the  balance  of  her  slaves,  whom  she 
had  concealed  in  a  place  of  supposed  safety. 

At  5  o'clock  of  the  22d,  the.  small  band  of  soldiers 
moved  out  on  the  road,  followed  by  a  long  train  of 
negroes.  The  excitement  among  the  colored  population 
increased  as  they  moved  along  that  day.  In  every  direc 
tion  for  miles,  they  were  pouring  in,  the  most  of  them 
riding  in  carts  and  wagons  which  they  had  taken  from 
their  masters. 

The  region  through  which  they  passed  was  similar  in 
wealth  and  fertility  to  the  lower  Teche  country.  After 
marching  twenty  miles,  the  Regiment  crossed  the  bayou 
on  a  swing  bridge,  and  put  up  on  the  plantation  of  one 
E.  P.  Scott,  who  pretended  to  have  been  a  nephew  of 
General  Scott.  That  night  the  men  sought  shelter  from 
the  rain  within  a  sugar  mill,  and  the  officers  appropriated 
some  of  the  rooms  of  the  house.  Every  one  felt  a  great 
relief  in  having  safely  passed  twenty  miles  beyond  the 
dangerous  neighborhood  of  Vermilionville. 

On  the  23d,  having  made  a  junction  with  Colonel 
Chickering's  forces,  they  crossed  back  over  the  bridge, 
and  after  marching  two  miles,  entered  the  village  of  St. 
Martinsville.  Proceeding  a  short  distance  below  the 
town,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  halted  to  permit 
the  other  troops  and  the  negro  train  to  pass  by,  in  order 


AMD  FOURTKKNTH  REGIMENT.  185 

that  they  might  cover  the  rear.  For  several  hours  they 
lay  by  the  road  side,  watching  the  amusing  spectacle  of 
nine  miles  of  negroes,  with  all  their  goods  and  chatties. 
In  the  history  of  the  war,  it  is  probable  that  another 
such  sight  was  never  witnessed.  There  can  be  no  doubt 
but  that  this  was  the  greatest  multitude  of  contrabands 
ever  collected.  It  has  been  very  correctly  stated  that 
there  were  in  this  one  procession,  of  upwards  of  four 
hundred  carts  and  vehicles,  over  eight  thousand  blacks. 
The  Regiment  waited  for  hours,  and  still  the  apparently 
interminable  line  kept  pouring  by.  Every  few  minutes 
the  boys  would  burst  forth  into  shouts  of  merriment,  as 
some  new  scene  especially  ludicrous  or  ridiculous  present- ' 
ed  itself.  Here  came  a  mammoth  plantation  cart,  filled 
with  rough  furniture,  and  screaming  children,  nearly 
nude,  drawn  by  a  pair  of  oxen.  Then  came  a  young 
man  leading  a  cow,  upon  whose  horns  and  back  was 
attached  a  rattling  museum  of  frying  pans,  pails,  grid 
irons,  old  clothes  and  hoes.  Next  appeared  a  creaking 
wagon,  in  which  was  an  old  grey-headed  couple,  demure 
ly  sitting  on  a  broken  stove.  Then  came  trudging  along 
a  bevy  of  bare-footed  women  with  infants,  papoose-like, 
on  their  backs.  Presently  a  very  ancient  and  ragged 
looking  mule,  with  two  or  three  women  and  children 
astride  its  back.  Again  would  appear  more  plantation 
carts,  covered  over  with  awnings  of  blankets,  cowhides 
or  boards.  Then  the  attention  would  be  attracted  to  an 
old  man  limping  along  with  a  cane,  and  carrying  a  half 
naked  child  Astride  his  neck.  Or  the  eye  would  fall  upon 
a  young  wench,  walking  stiff  and  erect,  with  an  enor 
mous  bundle  poised  upon  her  head.  Occasionally  an  old 
vehicle  would  break  down  in  the  road,  and  scatter  in  the 
mud  the  most  wonderful  collection  of  furniture,  utensils, 


186  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

clothing,  and  traps  generally,  that  the  mind  can  conceive 
of.  Xow  and  then  some  quaint  establishment  would 
have  a  runaway,  tearing  through  the  black  ranks,  upset 
ting  every  thing  in  its  mad  career.  Such  incidents  would 
call  forth  a  variety  of  ejaculations  from  the  frightened 
pedestrians. 

They  were  mostly  clothed  in  coarse  gray  cotton  suits. 
A  few,  though,  were  decked  off  with  the  most  expensive 
finery,  which  they  had  stolen  from  their  masters  or  mis 
tresses.  All  the  women  wore  gaudy  colored  bandanas 
wrapped  over  their  woolly  pates,  and  the  men  generally 
had  broad  brimmed  straw  hats,  much  the  worse  for  wear. 
The  remarks  made  as  they  passed  along  were  equally 
amusing. 

"  O,  bress  de  Lor' !     I'se  gwine  to  de  promised  land  !" 

"  I  rekiii  as  how  ole  mas'r  has  done  lost  two  tousand 
dollar  in  dis  chile,  shoo.  Yah !  Yah !" 

"Dese  Yankees  are  orful  smart  peple,  dey  are;  dey 
make  ole  secesh  folks  jist  tremble  in  der  boots  !" 

"  I  wonder  if  missus  will  miss  dis  yer  bonnet  ?" 

"Please,  Mr.  Soger,  whar  we  gwine  at?  When  will 
we  cross  over  Jerdin  ?" 

The  bare  mention  of  the  word  freedom,  to  these  poor 
people,  would  throw  them  into  perfect  extacies,  and  they 
would  dance  and  shout  in  the  most  extravagant  manner. 

When  the  last  chaise,  and  carriage,  and  donkey,  and 
cart,  and  footman,  lame  or  sick,  had  gone  by,  the  Regi 
ment  again  moved  off.  Passing  over  the  familiar  road, 
they  went  into  bivouac  on  the  ground  wlier*  the  cavalry 
had  a  severe  fight  on  their  first  march  up  the  Teche, 
about  a  mile  from  Xew  Iberia. 

At  6  o'clock  on  the  next  morning,  they  passed  through 
the  village,  and  continuing  their  march  during  the  day, 


ANL>  FOUKTEENTH  REGIMENT.  187 

bivouaced  in  the  evening  half  way  between  Newtown 
and  Franklin,  at  the  plantation  where  General  Banks,  a 
month  before,  had  deprived  the  army  of  its  unlawfiil 
mule  and  wagon  transportation. 

Early  the  25th,  the  little  army  with  its  ponderous  train 
moved  on  again.  After  a  long  and  weary  march,  late  in 
the  afternoon,  the  Regiment  passed  through  Franklin, 
the  band  playing  and  men  singing — 

"  We'll  hang-  Jeff  Davis  to  a  crab  apple  tree, 
As  we  go  marching  on." 

Passing  three  miles  beyond  the  town,  and  while  the 
Colonel  was  looking  for  a  place  to  halt  over  night,  sud 
denly  there  was  heard  in  the  rear  the  sharp  reports  of 
musketry,  and  a  frightened  mass  of  stragglers  and 
negroes  came  rushing  down  the  road,  shouting — "  The 
rebels  are  coming !  The  rebels  are  coming  !" 

They  communicated  their  panic  to  others,  and  it 
required  great  exertion  on  the  part  of  the  officers  to  quell 
the  mob  and  prevent  a  terrible  disaster. 

In  the  meantime,  a  messenger  brought  back  the  news 
that  the  rear  guard  was  attacked  near  Franklin,  by  a 
large  force  of  rebel  cavalry.  It  was  learned,  afterwards, 
that  this  force  was  under  the  command  of  the  rebel 
General  Green,  and  had  left  Vermilion ville  upon  hearing 
of  the  escape  of  our  men,  to  hasten  to  overtake  and 
overpower  the  little  patriot  band. 

Immediately  Colonel  Per  Lee  decided  to  turn  back  to 
the  assistance  of  the  rear  guard.  Having  dispatched  a 
courier  to  inform  Colonel  Morgan  (who  then  commanded 
the  expedition)  of  his  movements,  he  conducted  the  Reg 
iment  to  within  a  mile  of  Franklin,  and  formed  a  line  of 
battle.  Here  the  cavalry  constituting  the  rear  guard 
was  rapidly  fleeing  before  the  volleys  oi  the  rebels.  The 

13 


188  PvKCORP  OF  THE  ONE  HUNIMIKJ) 

Colonel,  with  much  difficulty,  succeeded  in  stopping 
them,  when,  reforming  their  line  and  assuming  command, 
he  rode  out  with  them  to  skirmish,  and  ascertain  the 
strength  and  position  of  the  assailants.  After  a  short 
and.  spirited  contest,  they  drove  the  enemy's  advance 
guard  into  the  town.  At  this  time  an  officer  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Tenth  New  York,  Lieutenant  Wood,  was 
mortally,  and  several  others  severely  wounded,  the 
former  dying  in  Hospital  at  Berwick,  the  day  following. 

The  dust  was  s^hick  that  it  was  impossible  to  form 
any  estimate  of  the  situation  and  numbers  of  the  enemy. 
A  few  shells  were  sent  after  them  without  eliciting  any 
reply.  They  were  now  firing  from  the  roofs  and  windows 
of  the  houses. 

Colonel  Per  Lee  hastened  back  to  his  command,  and 
informed  the  boys  that  he  was  "  for  going  back  and 
cleaning  out  the  town."  They  responded  to  this  senti 
ment  with  cheers,  and  throwing  out  Companies  B  and 
D  as  skirmishers,  moved  slowly  towards  the  village, 
which  they  were  anxious  to  lay  in  ashes.  When  within 
the  outskirts,  Colonel  Morgan  arrived  and  ordered  the 
Regiment  to  retire. 

The  enemy  blundered  badly,  which  was  as  damaging 
fco  his  success  as  it  was  fortunate  for  us.  In  following- 
tip,  his  advance  came  on  too  rapidly,  and  apprised  the 
command  of  the  danger,  before  it  had  gone  into  camp. 
In  the  repose  and  security  of  night,  a  thousand  dashing 
cavalry  would  have  stood  a  good  chance  to  have  captured 
the  entire  train  and  the  little  army. 

The  One  hundred  and  Fourteenth  countermarching, 
they  were  soon  out  of  sight  of  Franklin. 

After  the  excitement  of  the  attack  had  subsided,  the 
men  suffered  intensely  from  the  effects  of  their  severe 
labors;  yet  there  was  no  rest  for  them  that  night.  Bv 


ASTD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  18& 

the  bright  moonlight,  they  dragged  their  weary  bodies 
over  many  a  long  mile  of  dusty  road.  Till  morning 
dawn,  they  limped  and  Qbggered  on  towards  Brashear 
City,  the  welcome  haven  of  rest,  and  security  against  the 
vigilant  foe,  who  was  following  them  "not  afar  off." 
The  men  would  fall  asleep  as  they  walked,  and  tumble 
headlong  in  their  tracks.  It  was  unsafe  to  halt  the 
column  any  length  of  time  for  rest,  lest  it  would  be  im 
possible  to  arouse  the  men.  The  sun  rose  upon  a  wretch 
ed  set  of  mortals.  A  little  after  daylight,  the  boys  were 
cheered  by  the  appearance  of  a  gunboat,  which  had  been. 
sent  up  from  Brashear  to  assist  in  their  retreat. 

At  5  o'clock  they  halted  a  short  time  for  breakfast,  of 
which  they  stood  much  in  need,  as  they  went  supperlesk 
the  night  before.  On  again,  through  Bisland  and  Patter* 
sonville,  at  1 1  o'clock  they  halted  at  Berwick  City,  under 
cover  of  the  fort  and  gunboats,  in  sight  of  the  good  old 
camp. 

Without  waiting  to  wash  or  eat,  the  men  sank  down 
upon  the  ground  and  slept.  A  more  dirty,  ragged,  hag- 
gard  looking  body  of  men,  was  never  seen.  Many-  of 
them  were*  without  shoes,  and  their  naked  feet  were  raw 
with  blisters  and  lacerations.  Their  hair  was  long  and 
tangled,  and  the  beard  was  untrimmed.  They  had 
marched  since  5  o'clock  of  the  preceding  morning,  over 
forty-eight  miles,  without  rest  and  with  but  little  food. 
In  less  than  seven  weeks,  they  had  walked  nearly  Frvx 
HUNDRED  MILES.  No  wonder  the  men  were  jaded  and 
tired,  and  felt  that  they  were  entitled  to  a  season  of  repose. 

At  3  o'clock,  the  Regiment  was  carried  over  the  bay  in 
a  steamboat,  and  occupied  their  tents  again. 

Preparations  were  instantly  made  to  procure  clothing 
and  other  mlbessaries  lor  the  command.  Oh !  how  sweet 
ly  the  boys  slept  that  night,  under  the  shelter  of  their 


19O  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

tents,  with  their  hunger  satisfied,  clean  clothes  on  their 
backs,  and  consoled  with  the  assurance  that  their  past 
expedition  had  been  crowned^a^h  abundant  success ! 

It  is  no  part  of  the  province  of  the  writer  to  indulge  in 
panegyric,  but  simply  to  record  facts,  and  let  the  reader 
judge.  Yet,  at  times,  we  can  easily  be  indulged  in  a 
portion  of  enthusiasm  over  some  stirring  event — a  fond 
lingering  over  some  exciting  scene. 

It  is  no  exaggeration  to  say  that  the  Regiment  was  un 
tiring  in  its  efforts  to  further  the  success  of  the  expedition, 
which  General  Banks  stated  to  have  been  "  the  key-note 
of  the  whole  campaign."  Too  much  cannot  be  said  of  the 
coolness,  bravery,  and  above  all,  unremitting  perseverance 
of  the  officers  and  men,  during  the  entire  journey. 
Without  their  hearty  co-operation,  which  was  freely 
given  under  all  circumstances,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say, 
so  much  could  not  have  been  done,  and  with  such  signal 
success.  That  their  conduct  at  all  times  was  such  as  to 
merit  commendation — that  their  services  were  not  unap 
preciated — let  the  following  handsome  and  gratifying 
compliment  from  the  commander  of  the  expedition, 
addressed  to  Colonel  Per  Lee,  attest : 

•     *  *  •„'       ^  * 

SPRINGFIELD  LANDING,  La.,  May  29,  1863 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Per  Lee,  Commanding  114th  Regiment  : 

*****!  take  this  opportunity  of  returning 
to  yourself  and  command  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  good  feeling  dis 
played,  and  the  prompt  manner  in  which  you  quieted  the  panic  caused 
by  the  unexpected  attack  of  guerrillas  upon  our  rear  guard,  and  the 
bravery  shown  by  you,  and  the  alacrity  with  which  all  orders  were 
obeyed  on  our  recent  arduous  march. 

I  shall  take  pleasure  in  presenting  your  name  for  the  favorable  con 
sideration  of  the  Major  General  Commanding. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Colonel, 

Very  respectfully,  your  ob't  serv 't, 

Col.  J.  S.  MORGAN,  90th  N.  Y.  V. 


A.ND  FOUBTKKNTH   EEOUMKNT.  191 


CHAPTER     XIX. 

Work,  work  your  thoughts,  and  therein  see  a  seige  : 
Behold  the  ordnance  on  the  carriages, 
With  fatal  mouths  ga ping. 

KINO  HKNKT  V. 

Refreshed  by  slumber,  our  men  arose  on  the  morning  of 
the  28th,  to  be  astounded  with  the  order  :  "  Be  ready  to 
move  at  a  moment's  notice,  in  light  marching  order." 
There  was  no  use  in  complaining  or  feeling  distressed 
over  this  announcement,  although  they  had  hoped  that 
now  they  would  have  a  respite  from  their  toils.  Looking 
the  matter  cheerfully  in  the  face,  every  one  began  to 
bustle  around  to  be  prepared  for  another  journey.  It 
was  the  general  impression,  that  now  they  were  going  to 
join  their  Brigade  at  Port  Hudson,  whither  it  had  gone 
from  Alexandria. 

Here  they  found  Colonel  Smith,  who  had  so  far  recov 
ered  from  his  illness  as  to  be  able  to  look  after  the 
welfare  of  the  men,  and  who  accompanied  them  as  far  as 
New  Orleans.  The  boys  were  delighted  to  see  his  pleas 
ant  face  once  more,  and  hear  his  familiar  voice. 

The  whole  day  was  passed  without  the  Regiment  mov 
ing  from  the  camp,  for  the  officials  at  the  bay  were  too 
busy  in  trying  to  provide  for  the  thousands  of  helpless 
negroes,  to  employ  any  time  in  supplying  transportation 
for  the  troops.  They  seemed  to  be  astonished  at  the 
prodigious  proceeds  of  the  late  expedition,  and  over 
whelmed  with  their  increased  responsibilities.  The  men, 
in  the  meantime,  carefully  stowed  away  again  their  knap- 


192  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDIMED 

sacks,  and  officers,  in  like  manner,  packed  away  trunks 
and  dishes. 

At  8  o'clock  on  Friday,  May  29th,  the  Regiment 
marched  to  the  rail  road,  and  crowded  on  a  long  train  of 
open  cars.  Soon  every  thing  was  ready,  the  whistle 
sounded,  and  the  train  moved  off  towards  Algiers,  amid 
the  shouts  of  the  men.  Riding  over  the  country  at  a 
high  rate  of  speed,  was  new  and  exciting  sport  for 
the  boys,  after  marching  so  many  weary  miles.  Every 
object  along  the  rail  road  was  interesting  anr\  familiar  to 
some  of  the  men  who  had  guarded  that  part  of  the  road 
three  months  before.  As  each  Company  arrived  at  its 
old  station,  they  were  reminded  of  the  pleasant  times 
they  had  formerly  enjoyed. 

At  3  o'clock  the  Regiment  arrived  at  Algiers,  where 
the  men  jumped  off  the  cars  and  marched  across  the 
dock,  and  up  the  gang-way  plank  of  the  ocean  steamer 
Cahawba.  This  vessel  was  a  very  commodious  one,  but 
was  very  crowded,  as  another  Regiment,  the  Ninety-first 
New  York,  was  already  aboard  of  her. 

At  6  o'clock,  in  the  midst  of  a  severe  shower,  the 
steamer  cast  her  lines,  and  sailed  rapidly  up  the  river. 
Passing  the  busy  levee  of  New  Orleans,  and  the  villages 
of  Boligny  and  Oarrollton,  darkness  came  on,  and  the 
men  sought  places  to  spread  their  blankets  for  a  night's 
sleep.  The  officers  went  below  and  secured  the  comforts 
of  berths. 

By  daylight  every:  one  was  up,  looking  out  upon  the 
beautiful  scenery  of  the  Mississippi.  Houses,  groves, 
villages,  sugar  mills  and  gardens,  skirted  the  banks  of 
the  river.  During  the  morning  they  passed  by  the 
village  of  Plaquemine,  the  county  seat  of  the  Parish  of 
Iberville,  and  at  10  o'clock  they  stopped  opposite  the 


AXJB  FOl'KTJiENTII   KJ5GJMJLNT.  1.93 

wharf  boat  at  Baton  Kouge.  This  was  a  city  of  appa 
rently  considerable  activity,  with  many  tine  edifices.  The 
blackened  ruins  of  the  elegant  state  house  towered  above 
all  the  buildings,  and  showed  how  terrible  are  the  dese 
crations  of  war.  Upon  the  opposite  side  of  the  river  is 
the  little  town  of  "West  Baton  Rouge,  having  for  its 
prominent  building  a  showy  depot  of  the  Grossetete  rail 
road. 

Moving  on  again,  they  passed  by  a  formidable  fort, 
crowned  by  a  row  of  cannon,  and  upon  whose  grassy 
ramparts  sentinels  were  pacing  back  and  forth. 

At  2  o'clock,  the  Ca/iawba  tied  up  to  the  bank  at 
Springfield  Landing,  among  a  throng  of  steamboats. 
The  sailors  soon  constructed  a  staging  over  which  the 
Regiment  marched  into  the  forest  which  stretched  to  the 
shore.  For  three  hours  they  awaited  the  unloading  of 
the  vessel. 

Springfield  Landing  was  the  depot  of  supplies  for  the 
army  at  Port  Hudson,  twelve  miles  distant,  and  was 
crowded  with  officers,  and  wagons,  and  ambulances  filled 
witli  wounded,  and  piles  of  boxes  and  barrels. 

While  here,  they  learned  the  particulars  of  the  severe 
battle  at  Port  Hudson,  three  days  before,  in  which  Weit- 
zel's  Brigade  had  been  considerably  cut  up.  They 
listened  with  interest  to  the  narration  of  events  that  had 
occurred  during  their  absence  on  the  Teche.  How 
General  Banks,  on  leaving  Alexandria,  had  marched 
down  the  Red  River  to  Simmsport,  there  had  crossed 
the  Atchafalaya,  and  continued  to  march  down  Old 
River,  to  the  Mississippi.  How  he  crossed  the  river  at 
Bayou  Sara,  and  moved  down  in  the  rear  of  Port  Hudson. 
How  General  Auger  with  his  Division  had  come  up  from 
Baton  Rouge,  and,  having  fought  on  the  22d  the  battle  of 


194  RECORD  OF  THE  ON"E  HUNDRED 

Plain  Store,  made  a  junction  with  General  Banks  the  day 
following ;  and,  finally,  how  the  whole  Union  forces,  on 
the  27th  of  May,  attacked  the  enemy,  and  after  a  severe 
contest  succeeded  in  driving  him  into  his  fortifications, 
and  entirely  surrounding  him  with  a  line  reaching  from 
the  river  above  to  the  river  below. 

At  5  o'clock  the  Regiment  at  last  got  under  motion  for 
the  front.  As  they  marched  through  the  deep  forests, 
they  were  seriously  reminded  of  the  perils  they  were 
about  to  encounter,  by  frequently  meeting  ambulance 
trains,  loaded  with  a  pale,  groaning,  screaming,  bleeding 
freight  of  wounded  men. 

In  the  silence  of  evening,  beneath  the  solemn  trees, 
how  sadly  they  felt  over  the  horrors  of  Avar ;  how  keenly 
they  sympathized  with  the  suffering  wounded.  It  is  at 
such  times,  only,  that  a  soldier  appreciates  the  revolting- 
character  of  his  employment,  and  realizes  the  extent  of 
jeopardy  to  which  he  is  constantly  exposed. 

At  9  o'clock  the  Regiment  halted  for  the  night  upon  n 
little  clearing.  By  the  light  of  the  moon,  the  men  spread 
their  blankets  upon  the  grass,  and  laid  down  to  sleep. 
At  intervals  during  the  night,  they  were  awakened  by 
the  booming  of  cannon,  reverberating  through  the  wood. 

At  6  o'clock  on  the  31st,  they  moved  on,  and  soon  came 
to  the  rear  of  the  army.  They  passed  the  camps,  and 
wagon  trains,  and  blacksmith  forges,  and  cook  shanties, 
until  finally  they  halted  opposite  the  Head-quarters  of 
their  beloved  C4eneral  Weitzel. 

After  Colonel  Per  Lee  had  reported  to  him,  the  men 
were  furnished  with  an  extra  supply  of  cartridges,  and 
then  marched  off  on  a  narrow  road  through  the  forest, 
towards  the  right  of  the  enemy's  works.  The  deafening 
reports  of  cannon,  now  showed  that  they  were  close  by 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REG  1  MIC  NT.  105 

Port  Hudson.  Proceeding  half  a  mile,  the  Regiment  was 
ordered  to  rest  by  the  side  of  the  path,  until  further 
orders. 

While  lying'  here,  General  Banks  rode  by,  accompanied 
by  a  few  officers.  Captain  Bullock,  inspired  by  his  pres 
ence,  jumped  up  and  proposed  three  cheers  for  the 
Commanding  General,  which  were  heartily  given.  Such 
compliments  were  well  intended,  but  found  to  be  sadly 
out  of  .place.  The  boys  did  not  consider  their  proximity 
to  the  rebels,  and  that  they  had  informed  the  enemy  of 
their  position.  Immediately,  in  quick  succession  there 
followed  a  distant  roar,  a  piepcing  shriek,  and  a  loud 
explosion  of  a  one  hundred  and  twenty  pound  shell  over 
their  heads,  the  fragments  plunging  to  the  ground  on 
either  hand.  One  followed  another,  until1"  the  boys 
sought  shelter  behind  logs  and  trunks  of  trees.  Even 
then  they  were  not  safe,  for  the  missiles  would  cut  oft' 
limbs,  and  drop  them  down  on  their  heads.  Their  enthu 
siasm  was  instantly  cooled.  The  place  became  "  so  hot '"" 
that  the  Colonel  moved  the  Regiment  about  half  n  mile 
further  on,  and  halted  in  the  shelter  of  a  ravine.  No 
more  cheers  were  proposed  that  day,  and  if  there  had 
been,  no  one  would  have  responded,  even  if  the  President 
of  the  United  States  had  presented  himself.  Yet,  in  the 
little  valley  they  were  not  entirely  secure  from  shells,  for 
on  the  knoll  in  their  front  was  a  battery  of  Parrott  guns, 
which  drew  in  that  direction  the  enemy's  fire.  Several 
men  were  wounded  and  carried  to  the  rear. 

That -day  and  night  they  remained  quiet,  listening  to 
the  rattling  of  musketry  and  the  roar  of  cannon,  which 
could  be  heard  for  miles  around.  Occasionally  a  few 
reckless  boys  would  go  up  to  the  battery,  and  peer  over 
into  the  rebel  works.  Their  curiosity  would  be  gratified 


196  HKCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

by  seeing  only  a  low  line  of  earthworks,  from  which,  at 
places,  a  puff  of  smoke  would  arise,  indicating  the  pres 
ence  of  concealed  men.  When  a  few  bullets  would  hiss 
by  them,  they  were  generally  glad  to  duck  their  heads, 
and  return  to  a  place  more  secure.  The  men  enjoyed  but 
little  sleep  that  night,  for  their  ears  refusing  not  to  hear 
the  horrid  din,  kept  them  wide  awake.  While  their  eyes 
were  closed,  it  would  seem  as  though  they  could  see  the 
flashes  of  the  cannon,  which  like  lightning  suddenly  lit 
up  the  forest  and  the  sky. 

"  Tis  the  soldiers'  life 
To  have  their  balmy  slumbers  walc'd  with  strife." 

How  strong  is  the  power  of  habit.  How  easy  one 
becomes  accustomed  to  situations  the  most  unnatural — to 
circumstances  the  most  trying  and  annoying.  In  a  few 
days  every  man  in  the  Regiment  could  lie  down  at  night, 
and  sleep  as  sweetly  as  in  his  own  bed  at  home,  when 
cannon  were  firing  about  him,  and  shells  exploding  over 
his  head. 

The  afternoon  of  June  1st,  the  Regiment  moved  for 
ward  to  take  its  place  in  the  old  Brigade,  and  become  a 
fractional  part  of  the  investing  army.  It  was  assigned  a 
position  tolerably  secure,  being  in  a  deep  ravine  caused 
by  the  washings^of  Sandy  Creek.  Upon  the  summit  of  the 
slope  which  rose  upon  the  western  side  of  the  ravine,  a 
detail  of  our  men  crawled  into  the  trenches  and  relieved 
a  party  of  sharp-shooters  of  the  Eighth  Vermont.  These 
trenches  were  curious  specimens  of  Yankee  ingenuity, 
being  frequently  designed  by  the  common  soldier,  and 
constructed  in  every  possible  manner  conforming  to  loca 
tion  and  material.  Although  simple  in  character,  and 
t-asily  formed,  they  were  effectual  for  offense  and  defense. 


AND  FOURTEENTH   UKG1MKNT.  197 

At  one  place,  a  ditch  would  be  dug  upon  a  spot  of  level 
ground,  At  another,  taking  advantage  of  a  hill,  the 
slope  facing  from  the  enemy  would  be  cut,  so  as  to  bring 
the  head  of  the  gunner  on  a  level  with  the  crest.  Fre 
quently  logs  or  blocks  of  wood  would  be  piled  one  upon 
another,  the  interstices  filled  with  dirt.  In  another  place 
a  deep  pit  would  be  dug,  screened  by  a  growth  of  thick 
underbrush.  In  others  still,  small  apertures  would  be 
made  through  clay  banks,  or  loop  holes  made  upon  the 
top.  Hogsheads,  barrels,  bags  and  boxes  filled  with  cot 
ton  or  sand,  would  be  placed  here  and  there. 

From  the  Regiment's  position  in  the  line,  the  rebel 
works  were  but  a  few  rods  distant.  At  this  place,  with 
the  exception  of  short  intervals,  it  lay  for  forty  days, 
engaged  more  or  less  constantly,  day  and  night,  in  a  fire 
upon  the  enemy.  Upon  the  sides  of  the  bluff,  the  boys 
dug  caves  and  pits,  as  a  protection  from  shells,  and  in 
them  they  made  their  homes.  The  brackish  and  scanty 
water  of  the  creek  was  all  they  had  for  drinking  and 
bathing  purposes. 

For  forty  nights  they  were  without  fire  or  lights,  for 
fear  of  drawing  the  fire  of  the  enemy.  All  the  wrhile  the 
grand  old  magnolia  forest  echoed  with  the  incessant  roar 
of  artillery  and  musketry.  Their  duty  was  uniform.  At 
regular  intervals  they  would  take  turns  in  relieving  each 
other  at  the  rifle  pits  ;  and  then,  for  a  number  of  hours, 
with  the  watchfulness  and  patience  of  cats,  and  with 
guns  poised  through  loop  holes,  they  would  watch  for 
the  slightest  exposure  of  some  "  Johnny  Reb  ;"  and  when 
he  did  show  himself,  he  usually  paid  the  penalty  of  "hie 
rashness  with  his  life. 

The  enemy,  too,  were  equally  vigilant,  and  every  day 
some  man  in  the  Regiment  would  be  hit  by  a  concealed 
marksman. 


198  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE   HUNDRED 

Those  men  who  were  not  on  duty,  would  devote  their 
time  to  sleeping,  playing  cards,  or  conversation-.  Thus 
for  days  and  weeks  the  siege  was  protracted,  without 
much  perceptible  gain  to  the  Union  side. 

There  were  those  who  considered  Port  Hudson  impreg 
nable  ;  not  on  account  of  the  enginery  of  its  works,  but 
by  reason  of  its  wonderful  natural  advantages  and  posi 
tion.  On  the  river  front,  it  was  indeed  impregnable. 
For  two  miles  around  a  bend  in  the  Mississippi,  there 
Arises  from  the  surface  of  the  water  an  almost  perpendic 
ular  Avail  of  yellow  clay,  some  sixty  feet  above  average*, 
high  water  mark.  The  bluff  was  surmounted  by  a  row 
of  redoubts,  occupied  by  seventeen  pieces  of  heavy 
ordnance.  Some  of  these  were  pivot  guns,  and  could  be 
used  both  for  front 'and  rear.  Upon  the  top  of  the  cliff  is 
a  level  plateau  of  several  hundred  acres.  Something  like 
a  mile  to  the  rear  of  the  river,  the  high  plain  broke  off 
into  a  very  ragged  country,  covered  with  thick  woods, 
and  worn  into  deep  gorges  and  ravines  by  small  water 
'courses.  Along  the  edge  of  the  rough  decline  the  enemy 
had  constructed  a  line  of  defenses,  which  reached  some 
three  or  four  miles  in  a  semicircular  direction  from  river 
to  river.  Parallel  to  the  land  face,  the  army  of  Genera] 
Banks,  now  besieging  Port  Hudson,  had  constructed 
counter  lines  of  intrenchments,  which  his  engineers  were 
constantly  approaching  to  the  enemy's  works.  There 
were,  in  fact,  detached  works  of  the  .fort,  which  extended 
-a  distance  of  seven  miles  ;  but  in  the  battle  of  the  27th 
of  May,  the  Union  army  took  possession  of  these  defens 
es,  and  encircled  his  main  fortifications. 

The  order  of  the  investment  was  as  follows :  General 
Kinory's  Division  on  the  right ;  General  Grover's  Divis 
ion,  right  centre ;  General  Auger's  Division,  left  centre  ; 
-General  Dwight,  upon  the  extreme  left,  commanded  the 


AND  FOUKTKKNTIi  HEGIMENT.  199 

Division  of  General  T.  W.  Sherman,  together  with  seven 
batteries  and  six  companies  of  cavalry,  Sherman  being 
badly  wounded  on  the  27th. 

It  will  be  seen  that  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
was  nearly  opposite  the  upper  part  of  the  enemy's  works. 
General  Emory  being  absent,  General  Weitzel  command 
ed  the  First  Division,  and  Colonel  Thomas,  of  the  Eighth 
Vermont,  commanded  General  Weitzel's  Brigade. 

In  a  few  days  after  uie  arrival  of  the  Regiment,  the 
excitement  incident  to  its  new  position  wore  off,  and  for 
twro  weeks  the  men  lay  securely  in  their  forest  camp, 
while  nothing  but  the  ordinary  guard  and  picket  duty  broke 
the  monotony  of  the  siege.  Rumor,  with  her  thousand, 
busy  tongues,  employing  many  an  idle  moment,  always 
Hits  around  to  keep  the  minds  of  the  men  alive.  Start 
ling  improbabilities  become  realities,  when  thought  and 
feeling  lie  dormant.  Hence  the  wildest  vagaries  gain 
credence,  and  fill  up  the  idle  hours  of  a  soldier's  life. 
Some  would  have  it  that  the  pipes  supplying  the  Fort 
with  water,  (though  it  was  not  supplied  in  that  way,) 
had  been  destroyed,  and  that  the  garrison  must  soon 
surrender  for  want  of  that  necessary  fluid.  Again,  they 
believed  that  all  the  inmates  of  Port  Hudson  were  dis 
satisfied,  and  would  be  glad  to  capitulate,  but  were, 
prevented  by  their  commander,  General  Gardner.  So  it 
went,  wjiilc  the  commanding  General  was  constantly 
busy,  by  day  and  by  night,  planning  some  way  which 
should  lead  to  the  speedy  conquest  of  the  place. 

Everything  indicated  that  General  Banks  was  prepar 
ing  to  give  the  rebels  as  severe  a  bombardment  as  he  wa» 
capable,  before  resorting  to  harsher  measures.  Night 
after  night,  detachments  would  be  made  from  the  Regi 
ment,  to  work  under  cover  of  darkness,  digging  breast 
works  ami  planting  new  cannon  and  mortars. 


'300  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRKO 

At  midnight,  on  the  llth  of  June,  an  attack  was 
ordered  upon  the  enemy's  works.  The  object  of  the 
movement  was  to  draw  the  enemy's  fire,  and  thereby 
learn  at  what  portion  of  the  line  h£  expected  an  attack, 
and  posted  men  and  guns  in  the  greatest  numbers.  Three 
Companies  from  the  right  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth,  A,  F  and  T),  were  ordered  to  advance  and 
-cover  the  front  of  the  Regiment,  |^s  a  line  of  skirmishers. 
Hardly  had  they  reached  their  position  before  the  enemy 
opened  fire,  which  was  ansAvered  by  the  men  in  the 
trenches,  thus  bringing  the  skirmishers  between  the  two 
fires.  Falling  to  the  ground,  they  escaped  without 
much  harm.  The  fire  was  very  heavy,  and  the  enemy 
manned  his  works  in  full  force,  but  did  not  open  with  his 
artillery. 

During  the  sortie,  General  Weitzel,  who  was  with  the 
batteries,  ordered  several  guns  to  open,  hoping  to  create 
the  impression  that  a  general  attack  was  about  to  be 
made.  For  half  an  hour  the  boom  of  cannon  and 
exploding  shells  was  continuous  and  incessant,  and  the  ene 
my  must  have  lost  heavily,  as  he  advanced  quite  a  number 
of  men  under  the  fire  to  the  breastworks ;  but  he  either 
divined  the  object,  or  was  holding  back  his  fire  for  the 
assaulting  party.  Only  six  shots  responded  to  our  guns, 
and  they  did  no  damage. 

While  our  men  were  in  this  position — close  at  *  the  foot 
of  the  works — a  heavy  thunder  storm  came  on,  complete 
ly  drenching  the  men,  and  rendering  the  clay  soil  on  the 
hill  sides  so  slippery  that  they  could  not  retain  their 
footing.  They  were  ordered  to  return  to  their  old  posi 
tion.  The  night  was  so  intensely  dark  that  but  few 
were  injured ;  but  as  they  were  returning  over  the  breast 
works,  Lieutenant  Stafford,  of  Company  A,  was  seriously 
wounded.  So  severe  was  the  wound,  much  to  the  regret 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  201 

of  the  men  and  officers  of  the  Regiment,  by  whom  he 
was  highly  esteemed,  and  particularly  by  his  own  Com 
pany,  that  he  was  never  fitted  for  duty  again. 

That  same  night,  another  party  of  the  Regiment,  under 
Lieutenant  Carpenter,  was  chopping  in  front  of  the 
lines,  to  clear  away  a  place  for  a  sap,  when  they  were 
driven  away  from  their  labor  by  a  volley  from  the  enemy. 

By  daybreak  everything  was  water  soaked,  but  the 
sun  came  out,  and  in  a  few  hours  set  everything  right 
again. 

For  several  days  afterwards  a  furious  bombardment 
was  kept  up,  but  without  doing  much  apparent  injury  to 
the  enemy.  Occasionally  a  building  inside  the  Fort 
would  be  fired,  and  now  and  then  a  party  of  rebel  sharp 
shooters  would  be  driven  for  a  short  time  out  of  their 
pits,  but  every  night  they  were  making  their  works 
stronger,  so  that  day  by  day  the  effects  of  the  cannona 
ding  grew  less. 

At  11  o'clock  on  the  13th,  in  accordance  with  orders 
from  General  Banks,  a  bombardment  from  nearly  all  the 
batteries  commenced  and  continued  for  an  hour  with 
unremitting  intensity  and  vigor.  At  the  conclusion  of 
the  hour's  firing,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent  in  to  General 
Gardner,  demanding  the  surrender  of  Port  Hudson,  but, 
as  was  anticipated,  he  refused,  saying  "  his  duty  required 
him  to  defend  the  place."  Shortly  after,  the  fire  again 
opened  slowly,  and  was  kept  up  the  remainder  of  the  day. 

Back  from  the  batteries  indications  of  another  assault 
were  visible.  Hand  grenades  for  the  stormers  were 
being  filled,  and  bags  were  being  stuffed  with  cotton,  to 
be  thrown  into  the  ditch,  in  addition  tp  the  usual  prepar 
ations  on  the  eve  of  a  fight.  The  time  at  length  came, 
when  the  endurance  and  courage  of  the  men  were  again 
to  be  tested. 


'202  KKCOKIJ  OF  THE  ONB  HUXDBB& 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Once  more  unto  the  breach,  dear*friends,  once  more  ? 
Or  close  the  wall  up  with  our  English-  dead ! 

KING  HBSRY  V. 

Colonel  Smith  arrived  from  New  Orleans  and  assumed 
command  of  the  Regiment,  but  a  few  days  before  the 
attack  on  Port  Hudson  was  made.  It  was  against  the 
advice  of  surgeons,  and  the  urgent  solicitations  of  friends, 
that  he  entered  upon  the  active  duties  of  the  field,  in  his 
feeble  state  of  health.  But  he  had  "  counted  the  cost," 
and  could  not  endure  the  thought  of  enjoying  the  quiet 
of  a  hospital,  or  the  comforts  of  the  town,  however  indis 
posed,  while  his  men  were  imperiling  their  lives  before 
the  enemy.  He  said  that  he  had  decided  to  take  equal- 
chances  with  them,  in  life  or  death,  defeat  or  victory. 

On  the  evening  preceding  that  fatal  day,  the  men 
were  furnished  with  sixty  rounds  of  ammunition  each, 
and  their  haversacks  were  filled  with  rations.  All  night 
long,  throughout  the  lines,  the  finishing  touches  were  be 
ing  put  to  the  preparations  for  the  fight  that  all  knew 
would  take  place  at  daylight. 

At  midnight  the  Regiment  was  quietly  aroused,  and 
orders  were  given  for  five  Companies  to  proceed  up  to 
the  treilches,  and  be  ready  to  open  a  rapid  fire  on  the 
fort,  so  as  to  distract  the  attention  of  the  enemy,  when 
ever  the  cannonading  on  the  left  should  indicate  the 
commencement  of  the  assault  in  that  quarter.  Compa 
nies  B,  D,  E,  F  and  G,  were  ordered  to  fall  in,  and 
marched  off  under  the  guidance  of  Colonel  Smith.  Stum 
bling  along  through  ravines,  and  falling  over  vines  and 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  203 

logs,  the  Battalion  slowly  moved  towards  the  left  of  the 
line.  In  a  short  time  they  fell  in  with  other  Regiments 
of  the  Brigade,  that  were  silently  moving  in  the  same 
direction. 

Not  a  sound  was  heard,  save  the  rustling  of  dry  leaves, 
and  the  crackling  of  little  twigs,  over  which  the  men 
were  treading.  Now  and  then  a  low  murmur  of  conver 
sation  would  break  out  upon  the  subdued  stillness,  as  the 
men  quietly  discussed  the  probabilities  of  success  in  the 
morning.  As  they  went  from  one  ravine  to  another,  they 
discovered,  in  the  darkness,  that  all  the  troops  were 
standing  under  arms.  They  were  fully  satisfied  now,  if 
any  doubted  before,  that  they  were  to  be  called  upon  to 
assist  in  the  daring  charge  upon  the  enemy's  works  on  the 
morrow. 

After  a  little  while,  they  came  up  with  a  group  of 
officers  on  horseback,  among  whom  they  heard  the  voice 
of  General  Weitzel.  The  sight  of  their  General  gave 
courage  to  the  boys.  He  was  so  highly  esteemed  by  his 
command,  and  such  was  their  confidence  in  him,  that 
when  he  was  nigh  they  anticipated  no  danger  or  failure. 

A  delay  of  over  an  hour  was  caused  by  the  non-arrival 
of  some  of  the  other  Regiments  of  the  Brigade,  who  had 
lost  their  way  in  the  darkness.  It  was  here  that  Colonel 
Smith  .was  put  in  command  of  the  Brigade,  and  Major 
Morse  succeeded  him  in  command  of  the  detachment  of 
the  Regiment. 

After  the  Colonel  had  united  the  Brigade,  he  marched 
it  off  in  the  direction  of  the  point  of  attack.  Proceeding 
in  perfect  silence  two  miles  towards  the  left  of  the  Union 
lines,  the  Brigade  was  halted  at  the  place  designated  for 
the  grand  assault.  Here  was  found  a  large  body  of 
troops  marching  and  countermarching,  and  making  the 

14 


204  RECORD  OF  THE  OJTE  HUNDRED 

requisite  formation  for  the  charge.  In  front  of  them  lay 
the  famous  citadel  of  the  enemy,  which  was  the  key  of 
the  whole  position  of  Port  Hudson.  In  proportion  to  its 
importance  had  the  rebels  made  it  formidable.  At  this 
point  were  earthworks  of  the  best  construction,  a  deep 
and  almost  impassable  ditch,  and  in  front  of  all  a  wide, 
open  slashing  had  been  cut  through  the  forest,  making  an 
impenetrable  dbattis.  '  Across  the  trunks  and  bushy  tops 
of  felled  trees,  through  ravines,  and  over  stumps  and 
limbs,  our  men  nervously  expected  the  order  to  charge. 
With  unfortunate  delays,  the  gray  dawn  of  morning  ar 
rived,  revealing  the  fact  that  the  enemy  had  discovered 
the  movements,  and  were  preparing  for  the  assault. 
Thus  the  chances  of  a  night's  surprise  had  been  lost. 
Yet  no  one  felt  discouraged,  while  our  men  pledged  to 
each  other  mutual  acts  of  assistance  and  protection  when 
the  time  of  trial  should  come. 

The  plan  of  attack  was  soon  made,  which  was  as  fol 
lows  :  the  troops  were  to  advance  in  the  first  place  by 
files  through  a  deep  and  narrow  ravine,  some  sixty  rods 
towards  the  rebel  works ;  at  the  head  of  this  ravine  they 
were  to  deploy  as  rapidly  as  possible  into  line  of  battle, 
and  then  move  immediately  on  the  fortifications.  The 
order  of  advance  was — first,  the  Twelfth  Connecticut  and 
Seventy-Fifth  New  York,  deployed  as  skirmishers  to 
cover  the  movement ;  next  followed  the  Twenty-Fourth 
Connecticut,  winch  had  been  detailed  to  carry  cotton 
bags.  These  men  had  large  sacks  filled  with .  cotton, 
with  which  they  were  ordered  to  fill  up  the  ditch  as  soon 
as  they  reached  it,  thus  making  a  crossing  for  those  who 
were  to  follow.  Then  came  the  Ninety-First  New  York, 
armed  with  hand  grenades.  These  explosive  missiles 
were  expected  to  carry  perfect  consternation  among  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMKNT.  205 

enemy.  Then,  in  order,  came  the  Eighth  Vermont,  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  and  One  Hundred  and  Six 
tieth  New  York. 

After  a  painful  suspense,  at  4  A.  M.,  the  final  command 
came  to  commence  the  movement.  Slowly  the  head  of 
the  column  moved  on  under  cover  of  the  ravine,  without 
attracting  any  attention  from  the  enemy.  But  when  they 
emerged  from  the  plain  beyond,  heavy  volleys  of  mus 
ketry  were  heard,  showing  that  the  work  of  carnage  had 
commenced.  With  nerves  wrought  up  to  the  highest 
pitch,  our  boys  convulsively  clutched  their  muskets  and 
crowded  on  through  the  ravine  to  the  scene  of  death. 
Their  progress  was  very  much  retarded  by  reason  of 
some  cotton  bales  which  blocked  up  the  way. 

Now  our  artillery  opened  its  thunders,  and  over  the 
heads  of  the  men,  screaming  shell  and  hissing  shot  were 
poured  into  the  rebel  works.  The  undaunted  enemy  re 
plied  with  equal  vigor.  Cannon  after  cannon  came  into 
action.  Regiment  after  Regiment  added  volley  to  volley, 
until  the  air  was  burdened  with  a  stunning  tumult  of 
noises. 

Out  upon  the  open  ground,  among  logs  and  stumps, 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  formed  in  line  of  battle. 
They  were  now  within  full  view  of  the  rebel  breastworks, 
along  the  top  of  which  hundreds  of  smoking  muskets 
were  pouring  a  hail  of  lead  within  their  ranks.  While 
the  balance  of  the  Brigade  was  moving  out  to  form  the 
line  of  battle,  the  Regiment  was  obliged  to  stand  still,  a 
•constant  mark  for  the  enemy,  while  they  had  no  chance 
to  return  the  fire — the  most  trying  position  in  which 
soldiers  are  ever  placed.  "  Like  leaves  before  an  autumn 
blast,"  the  men  were  falling  on  all  sides.  Yet  our  men 
wavered  not,  while  they  quietly  stood  at  "  open  order," 
to  allow  the  wounded  and  dead  to  be  carried  to  the  rear. 


206  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBED 

Napoleon's  old  guard  could  never  have  showed  better 
heroism.  The  skirmishers,  the  cotton-bag  men,  and  the 
grenade-men,  had  all  fled,  or  throwing  away  their  imple 
ments,  had  sought  the  shelter  of  logs  and  ravines,  leaving 
our  men  the  sole  marks  for  the  enemy's  sharp-shooters. 
Among  the  first  that  fell  was  Captain  Tucker,  of  Compa 
ny  G.  fA-B  he  sank  back  into  the  arms  of  one  of  his  men, 
he  gasped  forth,  "  Tell  my  parents  that  I  died  fighting 
for  my  country,"  when  his  brave  spirit  took  its  flight. 

As  Boon  as  the  Brigade  had  formed  as  good  a  line  as 
the  nature  of  the  ground  would  permit,  Colonel  Smith 
ordered  a  charge.  With  a  yell  of  defiance  the  men  jump 
ed  forward.  The  rebels,  with  renewed  vigor,  hurled 
forth  a  withering  storm  of  bullets ;  but  still  the  boys 
kept  on  their  course,  scrambling  over  logs  and  bush 
heaps.  At  this  time  a  staff  officer  from  General  Weitzel 
ordered  Colonel  Smith  to  halt  the  Brigade,  and  re-form 
his  lines,  before  making  the  final  effort  to  mount  the 
works.  Under  the  partial  protection  of  a  small  ridge, 
the  men  laid  flat  upon  the  ground,  to  await  further 
orders. 

Colonel  Smith  went  busily  to  work  to  make  a  new 
alignment.  While  standing  upon  a  small  knoll,  and  in 
full  view  of  the  rebel  sharp-shooters,  giving  some  direc 
tions  relative  to  the  formation  of  the  line,  he  was  hit  by 
a  musket  ball,  which  entering  his  abdomen,  passed  out 
through  the  spine.  He  fell  helpless  upon  his  face,  and 
refused  for  some  time  to  be  carried  off  the  field,  saying 
to  those  who  offered  their  services  :  "  You  must  not  stop 
on  my  account ;  your  duty  is  to  be  in  the  advance." 

There  now  being  a  little  lull  in  the  firing,  the  whole 
line  made  another  forward  movement,  and  this  time  the 
Regiment  went  within  four  or  five  rods  of  the  entrench 
ments,  and  took  shelter  in  a  little  gully  that  ran  parallel 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  207 

with  the  works.  Here  they  remained  some  minutes,  and 
then  made  another  trial.  This  time  they  went  clear  to 
the  ditch — some  of  the  men  into  the  ditch — but  the  enfi 
lading  fire  was  so  galling,  the  impossibility  of  getting 
across  the  ditch  and  over  the  works  so  apparent,  that 
they  were  obliged  to  fall  back  again  under  cover  of  the 
ridge. 

Captain  Fitts  and  Lieutenant  Longwell,  the  latter  in 
command  of  Company  E,  were  wounded  in  the  last 
charge,  and  went  to  the  rear.  At  this  time  Major  Morse, 
also,  was  obliged  to  leave  his  command,  from  a  severe 
wound  received  in  the  early  part  of  the  action. 

All  the  Regiments  of  the  Brigade  were  now  very  bad 
ly  scattered,  and  hardly  an  officer  was  on  the  field.  For 
half  an  hour,  our  men  lay  upon  their  backs,  without 
attempting  to  make  any  movement,  while  the  Brigade 
and  Regiment  were  both  without  commanders.  At 
length  Lieutenant  Colonel  Van  Patten,  of  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixtieth  New  York,  was  assigned  to  the 
command  of  the  Brigade,  and  Lieutenant  Searle,  of 
Company  G,  to  the  command  of  the  Regiment. 

Instantly  another  charge  was  ordered,  in  which  the. 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  directed  to  lead  the 
advance.  With  desperation  amounting  to  madness,  our 
boys  jumped  to  their  feet  and  made  another  impetuous 
rush  towards  the  entrenchments.  The  hail  of  bullets  was 
so 'severe,  that  the  men  involuntarily  bowed  their  necks, 
and  partly  turned  their  backs,  as  though  moving  against 
a  driving  storm.  Once  they  halted,  and  then  on  again 
they  ran  and  shouted,  until  they  had  once  more  reached 
the  ditch.  Into  it  they  lea.ped,  and  made  a  desperate  but 
ineffectual  effort  to  scale  the  works.  Here  Lieutenant 
Corbin  was  instantly  killed,  by  having  the  top  of  hist 


208  RJSCOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

head  carried  off.  Lieutenant  Seaiie  was  also  very  dan 
gerously  wounded  in  several  places.  The  color  bearer, 
Corporal  Beckwith,  was  also  killed,  and  the  Regimental 
flag  lay  prostrate  on  the  ground,  a  fitting  emblem  of  the 
situation  of  the  Regiment. 

This  charge  was  the  last  throb  of  expiring  courage. 
Perceiving  that  their  exertions  were  futile,  as  well  as  dis 
astrous,  every  man  turned  and  sought  protection  for  his 
own  life.  Behind  stumps,  logs  and  hillocks,  they  con 
cealed  themselves  as  well  as  they  could  from  the  deadly 
riflemen  of  the  enemy.  From  that  moment  all  efforts 
were  abandoned,  and  the  whole  affair  was  generally  con 
ceded  a  repulse.  Those  men  who  could  crawl  away, 
repaired  immediately  to  their  several  camps,  but  the 
larger  number  were  confined  to  their  little  places  of 
shelter,  where  the  exposure  of  a  head  or  hand  would  be 
sure  to  draw  a  volley  of  bullets  from  the  enemy.  Be 
neath  the  scorching  rays  of  a  torrid  sun,  all  day  long  the 
boys  lay  among  the  putrifying  bodies  of  scores  of  dead 
comrades,  without  a  drop  of  water,  at  the  same  time 
compelled  to  listen  to  the  agonizing  cries  of  many  who 
were  helplessly  wounded.  When  darkness  came  to  their 
relief,  one  by  one  they  stole  from  their  hiding  places, 
and  proceeded  to  their  old  camps. 

The  five  Companies  that  remained  in  command  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Per  Lee  upon  the  camp  ground,  were 
deeply  pained  to  learn  of  the  disaster  that  had  happened 
to  their  comrades.  They  had  experienced  but  few 
casualties,  although  busily  employed  all  day  in  the 
trenches,  in  keeping  up  a  vigorous  fire  upon  the  enemy, 
in  order  to  distract  his  attention  from  the  place  of  assault. 

In  the  foregoing  account  of  the  battle  of  the  14th  of 
.June,  a  description  is  only  given  of  that  part  of  the 


ANB  FOURTEENTH   KRGIMKNT.  209 

charge  that  was  under  the  control  of  General  WeitzeL 
In  other  places  on  the  line,  similar  attacks  were  made  by 
Generals  (Trover,  Auger  and  D wight.  The  history  of 
the  action  on  the  part  of  General  Weitzel,  is  but  a  coun 
terpart  of  that  by  the  other  Generals :  the  same  obstacles 
to  overcome  ;  the  same  indomitable  bravery  in  opposing 
them,  resulting  in  the  same  disastrous  repulses. 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  the  14th  of  June.  It  had 
been  such  a  decided  defeat,  and  had  been  productive  of 
such  frightful  carnage,  that  it  cast  over  the  whole  army 
a  spirit  of  gloom  and  despondency. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  particu 
larly,  had  great  cause  for  sorrow.  Their  beloved  Colonel 
was  lying  upon  a  litter,  mortally  wounded.  They  wept 
when  they  thought  that  they  would  probably  never  hear 
his  voice  of  command  again — never  again  see  his  form 
around  their  camp-fires — never  more  could  go  to  him  for 
advice,  in  all  their  little  difficulties.  They  felt  that  they 
had  lost  a  friend  that  never  could  be  replaced. 

The  brave,  genial,  noble  Captain  Tucker  was  no  more. 
He  was  the  most  popular  officer  in  the  Regiment,  and  his 
death  touched  a  tender  chord  in  the  heart  of  every  man. 
More  particularly  in  his  own  Company  was  there  an  over 
whelming  feeling  of  sadness,  for  there  he  had  especially 
endeared  himself  in  the  hearts  of  his  men.  For  years  in 
after  campaigns,  the  men  of  Company  G  were  never 
tired  of  discoursing  over  the  excellent  qualities  of  Cap 
tain  Tucker.  Their  sgrrow  approached  to  anguish,  when 
was  added  to  their  calamities  the  death  of  their  Second 
Lieutenant,  Corbin.  He,  too,  died  as  he  lived — a  brave, 
generous,  faithful  soldier — and  left  behind  him  a  store  of 
cherished  memories.  It  hardly  seemed  possible  that  the 
cause  of  American  liberty  could  require  such  noble 
sacrifices. 


210  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

i 

The  bleeding  wounds  of  Major  Morse,  Captain  Fitts, 
Lieutenants  Long  well,  Searle,  and  eighty  more  of  lesser 
rank,  but  equally  brave,  called  forth  the  deepest  sympathy. 

When  the  excitement  of  battle  was  over,  and  the  men 
returned  to  calm  reflection,  their  memories  went  back  to 
the  solemn  scenes  of  the  dreadful  drama  in  which  they 
were  actors,  and  they  grieved  over  their  misfortunes. 
For  days  and  weeks,  the  camp  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  wore  an  air  of  solemnity.  Not  a  joyous 
laugh  was  heard,  not  a  smile  was  seen,  not  a  man  was 
disposed  to  engage  in  any  game  or  sport.  They  saunter 
ed  alone  in  the  forests,  their  faces  bearing  the  impress  of 
sadness.  The  worst  reflection  of  all  was,  that  despite 
labor  and  wounds,  and  the  loss  of  valuable  lives,  not  ;» 
particle  of  advantage  had  been  gained  over  the  enemy. 
In  fact,  the  poor  sufferers  were  tormented  with  the  shouts 
of  the  victors,  which  the  breeze  wafted  over  from  the 
rebel  works. 

Now  that  the  war  is  over,  there  can  be  no  harm  in  ex 
pressing  the  opinion  that  the  assault  of  the  14th  of  June 
was  poorly  planned,  and  still  worse  executed.  Alter  the 
experience  of  subsequent  engagements,  it  now  appeal's 
clear  to  every  impartial  mind,  that  the  great  mistake 
of  General  Banks  was  in  massing  his  troops  too  much  at 
a  single  point,  and  then  moving  them  forward  by  detail. 
If,  instead  of  this,  he  had  so  planned,  or  executed  his 
plans,  as  to  have  instantly  caused  a  simultaneous  forward 
movement  of  the  most  of  his  entireUme,  there  is  no  doubt 
but  that  he  could  have  occupied  Port  Hudson  at  any 
time,  without  much  difficulty  or  loss  of  life. 

What  is  true  of  the  14th  of  June,  is  equally  true  of  the 
assault  of  the  27th  of  May.  It  would,  as  another  has 
well  said,  be  more  correct  to  say  that  several  assaults 
were  made  on  that  day,  for  in  fact  the  three  wings  attack- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  JREGIMENT.  211 

ed  at  separate  times,  and  in  separate  places,  without 
concert  and  almost  without  communication,  so  that  the 
assault  of  one  was  repulsed  before  another  was  delivered, 
and  the  enemy  was  thus  enabled  to  mass  his  troops  suc 
cessively  upon  the  more  threatened  part  of  the  line. 

In  speaking  of  this  fight,  a  rebel  officer  remarked, 
that  when  the  attack  was  made  so  vigorously  on  Weit- 
zel's  front,  they  all  thought  the  game  was  up.  But 
observing  no  similar  movement  along  the  other  parts  of  the 
line,  they  moved  up  eleven  pieces  of  artillery  and  two 
large  battalions  of  their  best  troops,  so  that  they  were 
able  to  offer  effectual  resistance  in  that  quarter. 


212  RECORD  OF  THK  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

Of  sallies  and  retiree ;  of  trenches,  tents, 

Of  palisadoes,  frontiers,  parapets ; 

Of  basilisks,  of  cannon,  culverin  ; 

Of  prisoners'  ransom,  and  of  soldiers  slain, 

And  all  the  currents  of  a  heady  fight. 

KINO  HKNRY  IV. 

After  the  assault,  the  army  settled  down  again  to 
regular  routine   of  siege   duty.     By   daylight  the 
watched  the  enemy,  and  by  night  they  dug  parallels 
approaches  towards  the  rebel  fort.     In  some  places 
even  mined  the  enemy's  breastworks,  and  in  others 
cupied  their  ditches.     In  such  positions  our  men 
amused  themselves  in  conversing  with  the  "  Johnnies/* 
and   in  exchanging   papers   and  articles  of  food.      Than 
New  York  Tribune  was  bartered  off"  for  the 
Gazette,  hard  tack  for  hoecake,  tobacco  for  wooden 
teens.     Their  little  bargains  were  conveniently  and  s 
effected  in  passing  articles  to  each  other  over  the  breast 
works,  by  fastening  them  to  the  points  of  their  bayoneia. 
Many    ingenious    devices     were   adopted   to   effect   » 
position  near  the  enemy's  works.     In  one  instance,  a  Hi** 
of  our  troops  advanced  over  a  dangerous  spot,  by  rolling; 
hogsheads   packed    with  cotton  in    front  of    them,  this* 
astonishing  the  helpless  rebels  by  coming  upon  them  witli 
a  moveable  breastwork.     The  work  of  spading  and  p£ek- 
ing  their  way  into  Port  Hudson  -went  steadily  on.     Tb* 
approaches  were  rapidly  nearing  the  enemy's  work,,  font 
the   nearer  the  opposing  forces  got  to  each  other,  i$Mt 
more   difficult   and  dangerous  became   the    work  of  ear 
men,  and  consequently  much  slower. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  213 

On  the  15th  of  June,  General  Banks  issued  an  order  to 
the  army,  in  which  he  congratulated  them  upon  their 
steady  advance,  and  closed  in  the  following  language : 

"  We  are  at  all  points  upon  the  threshhold  of  his  forti 
fications.  One  more  advance  and  they  are  ours.  For 
the  last  duty  that  victory  imposes,  the  commanding  Gen 
eral  summons  the  bold  men  of  the  corps  to  the  organiza 
tion  of  a  storming  column  of  a  thousand  men,  to 
vindicate  the  flag  of  the  Union,  and  the  memory  of  its 
defenders  who  have  fallen. 

"  Let  them  come  forward.  Officers  who  lead  the 
column  of  victory  in  this  last  assault,  may  be  assured  of 
a  just  recognition  of  their  services  by  promotion ;  and 
every  officer  and  soldier  who  shares  its  perils  and  its 
glory,  shall  receive  a  medal  iit  to  commemorate  the  first 
grand  success  of  the  campaign  of  eighteen  hundred  and 
sixty-three,  for  the  freedom  of  the  Mississippi.  His  name 
shall  be  placed  in  General  Orders  upon  the  roll  of  honor." 

After  the  order  was  read  to  the  Regiment,  an  opportu 
nity  was  given  to  volunteer  in  the  "  forlorn  hope,"  but 
was  responded  to  by  only  some  half  a  dozen  men.  They 
were  all  anxious  enough  to  be  within  Port  Hudson,  but 
they  were  less  wise  than  formerly  about  the  surest  way 
of  getting  there.  The  experience  and  result  of  one  as 
sault  taught  them  that  it  was  not  an  easy  matter  to.  rush 
over  ramparts  where  men  stood  in  double"  lines  and 
doubly  armed  behind  them,  as  was  the  case  in  some 
places  where  the  enemy  was  in  readiness,  and  waiting 
for  their  approach.  They  expressed  a  willingness  to 
make  another  charge  if  directed — to  share  the  perils  and 
honors,  in  the  triumphs  of  victory  or  the  mortification  of 
defeat — but  the  reaction  from  the  excitement  of  the  day 
before,  left  them  without  the  enthusiasm  to  volunteer  to 
immortalize  their  names  upon  so  perilous  an  expedition. 


1214  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Several  flags  of  truce  passed  between  the  contending 
armies  at  different  times.  On  the  1 7th  of  June,  particu 
larly,  the  enemy  displayed  small  white  flags  all  along 
their  breastworks,  for  several  hours.  In  the  meanwhile, 
arrangements  were  being  made  to  bury  the  dead  who  had 
fallen  on  the  14th. 

For  three  days  after  the  assault,  General  Banks  refused 
to  accept  of  a  truce  for  the  burial  of  the  dead  and  the 
care  of  the  wounded,  until  the  indignation  of  the  army 
compelled  him  to  accede  to  the  humane  requests  of  the 
rebels.  It  was  then  found-that  but  one  man  had  survived, 
-and  he  had  sustained  a  wretched  existence  by  drinking  his 
own  urine.  Such  cruelty  seems  to  admit  of  no  justifica 
tion. 

Occasionally,  in  times  of  truce,  parties  would  mutually 
agree  to  meet  half  way  between  the  lines,  and  make  each 
•other's  acquaintance.  In  this  way  many  pleasant  inti 
macies  were  formed,  which  would  instantly  cease  as  soon 
as  the  flags  were  pulled  down.  Then  there  would  be  one 
universal  scampering  to  get  under  cover  again,  and  every 
one  would  grasp  his  gun  to  get  a  shot  at  some  late  friend, 
but  now  an  enemy. 

'Back  in  the  woods,  some  half  a  mile  in  rear  of  the 
camps,  was  situated  the  Brigade  Hospital,  which  was 
nothing  more  than  a  neatly  constructed  bower  of  green 
branches  and  twigs  entwined  together.  Here,  within  the 
sound  of  booming  cannon,  at  1  o'clock  A.  M.  of  Friday, 
the  19th  of  June,  Colonel  Smith  breathed  his  last.  His 
•death* had  been  anticipated  for  several  days,  and  it  pro 
duced  no  such  shock  upon  the  Regiment  as  it  otherwise 
would.  Yet  the  blow  was  a  severe  one,  and  the  men  felt 
it  deeply.  That  day  will  long  be  remembered  as  the 
saddest  the  Regiment  ever  experienced.  During  the  day, 
very  many  of  the  boys  were  permitted  to  visit  the  hospi- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  BEGIMENT.  215 

tal,  and  look  for  the  last  time  upon  the  face  of  him  whom 
they  felt  to  have  been  their  father.  It  is  a  singular  fact, 
that  notwithstanding  the  cruelties  of  war,  soldiers,  above 
all  other  people,  seem  to  ber  possessed  of  more  tender 
sensibilities,  with  hearts  more  keenly  touched  with  sym 
pathy  and  sorrow.  Their  feelings  were  unalloyed  with 
selfishness  or  hypocrisy  when  they  shed  bitter  tears  over 
the  remains  ot  their  beloved  Colonel.  Amid  their  grief, 
they  were  consoled  with  the  thought  that  he  expired  with 
out  a  pang,  in  full  consciousness,  stating  that  he  was 
cheerfully  resigned  to  his  fate.  His  remains  were  care 
fully  encoffined,  and  sent  to  New  Orleans.  From  thencer 
under  charge  of  Lieutenant  Pellet,  they  were  conveyed 
on  the  long  journey  to  Norwich,  to  sleep  among  the 
graves  of  his  kinsfolk. 

Good-bye,  Colonel  Smith!  As  your  love  for  your 
Regiment  was  unbounded,  so  shall  your  memory  be 
cherished  by  your  men,  while  they  shall  live  ;  and  dying, 
they  shall  leave  posterity  the  record  of  your  estimable 
qualities  and  noble  deeds. 

Every  day  the  news  would  arrive  of  fresh  captures  of 
men,  wagons  and  stores,  by  squads  of  rebel  cavalry  in 
the  rear.  It  was  evident  that  the  enemy  was  concen 
trating  what  forces  he  could,  to  harass  the  army  and 
distract  its  attention  from  Port  Hudson.  Their  numbers 
were  too  insignificant,  and  their  efforts  too  trifling,  to 
make  any  appreciable  difference  in  the  progress  of  the 
siege.  Yet  they  were  a  great  annoyance,  and  often  large 
bodies  of  troops  would  be  sent  into  the  country  to  drive 
away  the  guerrillas  and  bushwhackers,  or  whatever  force 
they  might  encounter. 

On  the  3d,  an  expedition  of  this  kind,  mostly  cavalry, 
wit!)  a  few  pieces  of  artillery,  under  command  of  Colonel 


216  RECOKD  OF  THE  ONK  HUNDRKl> 

Griersori,  went  out  from  camp  for  Clinton,  at  the  terminus 
of  the  Clinton  and  Port  Hudson  Railroad,  some  twenty- 
five  miles  distant.  Before  reaching  the  place,  they  met  a 
force  of  some  two  thousand  strong,  with  whom  they  had 
a  sharp  engagement,  and  returned  without  fully  accom 
plishing  their  object. 

On  the  5th,  another  expedition,  consisting  of  a  brigade 
of  infantry,  Colonel  Paine  commanding,  and  a  force  of 
cavalry,  was  sent  to  Clinton  after  the  rebel  force  posted 
at  that  point.  Isfot  venturing  a  second  attack,  they  re 
treated  with  slight  resistance.  The  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth,  upon  one  occasion,  formed  apart  of  one  of 
these  expeditions. 

On  the  evening  of  June  20th,  a  party  of  the  enemy  fell 
upon  a  wagon  train  proceeding  to  Springfield  Landing, 
and  succeeded  in  capturing  nearly  the  whole  of  it.  Im 
mediately,  Weitzel's  Brigade  was  ordered  out,  to  pursue 
the  guerrillas  and  attempt  to  re-capture  the  valuable  train. 
At  12  o'clock  at  night,  the  Regiment  quietly  moved  out 
from  their  camp,  leaving  behind  a  few  men  to  hold  the 
breastworks,  and  proceeding  td  General  Weitzel's  Head 
quarters,  joined  with  the  other  Regiments  of  the  Brigade. 
When  daylight  came,  they  were  tramping  over  the  dusty 
road  towards  Jackson,  fourteen  miles  distant.  It  was  a 
great  relief  to  be  away  from  the  restraints  and  noise  of 
the  siege,  and  breathe  the  fresh  air  out  in  open  fields.  As 
they  moved  along  over  a  rolling  country,  interspersed 
with  forests  and  rich  plantations,  they  halted  at  times  to 
feast  upon  green  corn,  blackberries  and  fruits.  No  one 
can  describe  the  exquisite  enjoyment  there  is  in  eating 
vegetables,  after  living  for  a  long  time  upon  a  steady  diet 
of  salt  meat  and  hard  tack.  In  one  respect  only  they 
suffered  considerably.  In  leaving  the  shade  of  the  forests 


FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  217 

*$£  Port  Hudson,  they   found   the  sun   threw    down  its 
Heroes t  rays,  almost  overpowering  them  with  heat. 

Grierson's  cavalry  preceded  the  Brigade,  and  had  occa- 
skirmishes  with  small  bodies  of  the  enemy,  but 
than  that  they  were  unable  to  find  any  force  of 
rebels,  or  any  part  of  their  captured  plunder.  In  the 
evening,  as  the  cooling  rain  began  to  pour  down  upon 
th.e  Jieated  men,  they  prepared  to  bivouac  by  the  side  of 
rJbe  road,  having  marched  nine  miles. 

0m  Monday,  the  22d,  they  continued  five  miles,  through 
fefee  little  and  dirty  village  of  Jackson,  and  passing  on  to 
tfe  iight  of  the  town,  bivouaeed  for  another  night's  rest, 
found  none  of  the  enemy,  and  accordingly  on  the 
day  they  gave  up  the  pursuit  and  commenced  to 
retrace  their  steps.  At  nearly  every  plantation  they  came 
fes>,  en  their  return,  they  emptied  the  granaries  and  store 
,  to  fill  their  large  wagon  train  with  corn  and  pro- 
They  proceeded  but  five  miles  that  day,  and 
on  the  same  spot  they  had  occupied  the  Sunday 
before. 

At  6  o'clock  the  following  morning,  they  continued 
march  for  Port  Hudson,  arriving  within  the  lines  of 
the  -army  at  1 1  o'clock.  They  halted  for  dinner  at  the 
osek  shanties,  a  mile  in  the  rear  of  the  works,  and  then 
•wved  up  to  their  old  quarters  in  the  trenches.  Once 
B&<sr<j  they  resumed  the  tedious  and  unpleasant  duties  of 
ifcarp-shooting,  and  again  were  annoyed  with  the  sounds 
4if  hissing  bullets  and  exploding  shells. 

The  siege  of  Port  Hudson  had  been  protracted  so  far 
beyond  the  prediction's  of  the  most  incredulous — had  been 
.aeeompanied  with  such  disastrous  consequences,  without 
apparently  reaching  any  nearer  the  end  so  long  and 
aasiously  looked  for — that  there  existed  injthe  army  a  sad 


218  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

feeling  of  despondency.  As  "  it  is  always  the  darkest 
just  before  daylight,"  so  the  few  days  before  the  fall  of 
Port  Hudson  were  the  most  gloomy  period  in  the  history 
of  the  "Army  of  the  Gulf."  As  "misfortunes  never 
come  singly,"  so  while  the  army  lay  before  Port  Hudson, 
every  breeze  served  to  waft  the  news  of  some  additional 
calamity.  First,  the  capture  of  Spingfield  Landing,  by  a 
bold  band"  of  guerrillas.  Then  the  complete  blockade  of 
the  Mississippi,  near  Donaldsonville,  by  the  artillery  of 
Dick  Taylor's  army,  whereby  the  forces  at  Port  Hudson 
were  cut  oif  from  their  supplies,  and  all  communication 
with  the  world  outside.  In  such  a  state  it  was  difficult 
to  say  which  party  was  the  besiegers  and  which  the 
besieged.  And  last,  but  not  least,  the  capture  of  Brashear 
i  Cityr  with  all  its  garrison,  forts,  guns  and  stores,  com- 
/  prising  millions  of  dollars  of  government  property.  This, 

J  without  doubt,  was  a  greater  capture  for  the  rebels  than 
any  other  of  the  war.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
Regiment  lost  in  it,  all  their  tents,  knapsacks,  trunks, 
papers,  in  fact  everything  except  what  they  had  on  their 

*,  backs.  The  rebel  army  which  had  so  lately  fled  from 
Bisland  and  up  the  Teche,  having  crossed  Berwick's  Bay, 
were  now  master  of  the  Opelousas  Railroad,  and  were 
within  a  few  miles  of  New  Orleans. 

All  these  disasters  came  to  the  ears  of  the  men  while 
struggling  at  Port  Hudson,  in  spite  of  the  proscription  of 
newspapers,  and  filled  them  with  serious  forebodings  for 
the  future.  The  most  alarming  feature  of  all  was  the 
frightful  depletion  of  their  army  by  sickness.  The  sed 
entary  life  in  the  trenches ;  the  want  of  shelter  in  this 
rainy  season  of  the  year,  when  the"*  forests  were  continu 
ally  damp  with  sftowers ;  the  unacclimated  condition  of 
the  men  for  such  extreme  heat ;  the  lack  of  wholesome 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  219 

water  and  food ;  the  impossibility  of  cleanliness  without 
bathing  and  change  of  clothes,  all  these  conduced  to  the 
most  fatal  epidemics. 

In  a  short  time,  Brigades  were  no  larger  than  Regi 
ments  ;  a  Regimental  organization  would  hardly  be 
admitted  into  the  service  as  a  respectable  Company. 
There  wras  not  transportation  enough  to  carry  off  the 
sick,  and  the  field  hospitals  were  filled  with  disease  and 
death.  Fevers,  scurvy,  and  that  scourge  of  all  scourges, 
chronic  diarrhea,  were  carrying  off  their  hecatombs  of 
victims. 

"  When  sorrows  come,  they  come  not  single  spies, 
But  in  battalions." 

General  Banks  attempted  to  revive  the  drooping  spirits 
of  the  men,  by  making  a  speech  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  of  June.  Although  only  delivered  before  his  favor 
ite  Brigades  of  Weitzel  and  Morgan,  yet  it  was  doubtless 
intended  for  the  whole  army.  Back  a  mile  in  the  forest, 
the  diminutive  Brigades  formed  a  hollow  square,  and 
General  Banks  rode  into  the  centre,  accompanied  by  Gen 
eral  Weitzel.  With  hat  in  hand,  he  eloquently  urged 
upon  the  men  to  falter  not  in  this  most  trying  hour — to 
keep  courage,  and  all  would  be  well.  He  informed  them 
that  he  had  clear  proof  that  General  Gardner's  forces 
were  then  living  on  mule  meat  and  peas  ;  that  in  a  few 
days,  starvation  would  drive  them  to  surrender.  He 
closed  in  bestowing  flattering  compliments  on  the 
Brigades  for  their  past  bravery,  and  in  glowing  eulogy 
upon  their  noble  dead.  As  the  men  marched  off  the 
ground  to  their  respective  camps,  they  felt  but  little  en 
couraged,  but  thought  that  the  army  was  in  narrow 
straits  which  required  its  General  (re)^l-like)  to  inspire 
his  men  with  speechifying. 

11 


220  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDUUl> 

The  volunteer  storming  party,  the  same  day,  were  in 
line  for  inspection.  Hearty  cheers  greeted  the  appearance 
of  the  Commanding  General,  which  were  acknowledged 
a  la  mUitaire^  when  he  proceeded  to  review  them.  A 
short  address  was  also  made/ 

In  the  afternoon,  two  brave  soldiers  of  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth,  members  of  Company  I,  were  hit 
by  one  of  our  cannon  balls.  They  were  quartered 
together  in  a  ravine  a  very  short  distance  from  the  rebel 
works,  and  the  shot  that  struck  them  fell  short.  One  of 
them,  William  S.  Sipples,  an  old  man  with  white  hair, 
had  both  legs  shot  off,  and  died  in  about  two  hours. 
The  other,  Morel  St urges,  a  lad  of  nineteen,  had  his  leg 
and  thigh  broken,  and  afterwards  amputated  at  the  hip. 
He  died  on  the  3d  of  July. 

On  the  1st  of  July,  an  informal  muster  was  made  of 
the  Regiment.  The  loss  of  books  and  papers  at  Brashear 
City  prevented  the  officers  from  making  their  regular 
muster  rolls.  Unsettled  accounts,  returns  and  rolls,  were 
all  gone,  and  could  never  be  replaced.  For  the  subse 
quent  years  that  they  remained  in  the  service,  they  were 
never  free  from  continual  annoyance  and  difficulties 
which  resulted  from  the  loss  of  their  original  documents. 
The  value  of  them  to  the  Regiment  was  much  greater 
than  the  value  of  the  property  destroyed, 

July  2d,  the  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Springfield 
Landing,  but  before  getting  out  of  the  woods,  were 
ordered  back  to  their  quarters  again. 

It  now  became  evident  that  the  siege  must  soon  be 
closed,  either  favorably  or  otherwise.  The  Subsistence 
Department  was  nearly  exhausted,  and  the  men  were 
getting  hungrytwi  one-quarter  rations.  The  army  withal 
was  without  a  supply  of  clothing,  and  was  getting  inde- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  221 

cently  ragged.  From  a  variety  of  causes  they  were  grow 
ing  enervated,  and  were  suffering  from  the  ravages  of 
•  vermin  that  infested  the  forest.  The  men  were  revolting- 
ly  pediculous.  It  was  funny  to  hear  the  way  in  which 
the  rebels  would  tantalize  the  boys  over  such  misfortunes, 
in  their  little  conversations  together  across  the  lines. 
Some  of  the  Johnnies  stated  that  they  had  "  caught  lice 
in  the  fort,  having  '  U.  S. '  branded  on  their  backs.'* 
Our  boys  would  usually  retort  upon  them  by  inquiring 
how  they  liked  "  mule  chop,"  or  "  donkey  spare-rib.  " 

The  4th  of  July  dawned  in  unclouded  beauty.  Not  a 
speck  marred  the  clear  blue  of  the  heavens,  and  the  sun 
shone  forth  in  all  its  summer  splendor.  As  the  morning 
advanced  it  became  intensely  hot,  causing  our  men  in  the 
trenches  to  suffer  severely,  but  towards  evening,  relief 
came  in  the  shape  of  a  thunder-shower. 

A  salute  of  thirty-four  gims  was  fired,  one  every  ten 
seconds,  in  honor  of  the  day,  by  both  the  land  batteries 
and  navy.  Several  brass  bands,  running  the  risk  of  at 
tracting  the  enemy's  bullets,  enlivened  part  of  the  day 
by  playing  patriotic  airs.  Other  than  this,  the  day 
passed  off  without  anything  to  break  the  usual  tedious- 
ness  of  the  siege. 

Appearances  now  indicated  that  in  a  few  days  at  the 
furthest,  General  Banks  was  about  to  make  a  last  des 
perate  effort  to  gain  the  rebel  stronghold. .  Failing  in 
this,  it  was  likely  he  would  raise  the  siege,  and  fall  back 
to  the  defenses  of  New  Orleans.  The  storming  party 
had  been  ordered  to  be  ready  at  an  hour's  notice.  Bat 
teries  of  heavy  artillery  had  been  planted  to  concentrate 
a  fire  upon  a  single  point.  Mines  had  been  charged  with 
powder,  and  prepared  for  explosion,  /but  still  all  the 
preparations  were  not  fully  completed. 


222          RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXII. 

He,  that  outlives  this  day,  and  comes  safe  home, 
Will  stand  a  tip-toe  when  this  day  is  nam'd ; 
He,  that  shall  live  this  day,  and  see  old  age, 
Will  yearly  on  the  vigil  feast  his  friends. 

KINS  HENRY  V. 

• 
A  very  good  piece  of  work,  I  assure  you,  and  a  merry. 

MIDSUMMER  NIGHT'S  DRHAM. 

Light  began  to  dawn  !  On  the  7th  of  July  the  glori 
ous  news  passed  from  mouth  to  mouth :  "  Vicksburg 
has  surrendered!"  The  bands  played,  the  men  were 
drawn  up  in  line  and  gave  loud  cheers,  cannon  opened 
with  a  shotted  salute,  and  every  one  looked  happy. 
They  said,  "  Now  we  can  see  our  way  out  of  the  woods, 
for  General  Grant  will  come  and  help  us."  All  day  long 
intense  joy  prevailed,  and,  by  fits  and  starts,  would  break 
out  in  lusty  shouts  and  cheering. 

The  rebels  peeped  over  their  works  in  silent  astonish 
ment  at  the  extraordinary  demonstrations.  At  last  their 
curiosity  got  the  better  of  them,  and  they  commenced  to 
ask  questions  :  "  Hallo,  Yanks !  what  are  you  all  making 
such  a  fuss  about  ?"  The  answer  was,  "  We  have  taken 
Vicksburg  !"  Upon  being  informed  of  this,  they  joined 
in  denouncing  the  statement  as  "  a  d d  Yankee  lie." 

A  rebel  officer,  in  conversation  upon]  the  subject  with 
a  Union  officer,  said  he  did  not  believe  the  news,  but 
would  be  convinced  of  it  only  by  "  a  copy  of  the  dis 
patch,  or  some  reliable  authority,"  the  genuineness  of 
which  must  be  vouched  for  by  the  Union  officer,  on  his 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMRNT.  225 

honor  as  a  gentleman  and  a  soldier.  A  copy  of  General 
Grant's  official  dispatch  was  procured  and  passed  over 
the  parapet,  with  which  the  rebel  expressed  himself  satis 
fied,  and  remarked,  "  It  is  useless  for  Port  Hudson  longer 
to  attempt  to  hold  out." 

It  was  evident  that  the  news  was  very  distasteful  to 
the  rebels.  Our  boys  were  encouraged,  rather  than  oth 
erwise,  to  add  to  their  discomforts,  by  administering  to 
them  extra  doses  of  lead  and  iron. 

When  daylight  of  the  8th  came,  every  one  was  aston 
ished  to  see  that  the  enemy  had  displayed  flags  of  truce 
along  his  works.  "  What  does  it  all  mean  ?"  was  the 
universal  question.  Every  one  seined  to  have  a  vague 
idea  of  what  was  the  cause  of  the  truce,  but  no  one 
dared  to  express  his  hopes.  Even  the  rebels,  with  whom 
our  boys  held  conversation,  declared  themselves  unable 
to  state  what  was  going  on,  only  that  Generals  Gardner 
aiicl  Bunks  were  holding  communication  with  each  other 
upon  some  subject. 

All  day  long  a  singular  quiet  was  observed  between 
the  contending  armies.  Crowds  of  "  Johnnies "  and 
"  Yankees "  mingled  together  between  the  lines,  on 
neutral  ground,  and  visited  each  other  to  their  hearts* 
content.  At  length,  in  the  evening,  the  suspense  was 
broken  by  the  thrilling  announcement,  "  PORT  HUDSON  is 
OURS  !" 

This  surrender,  following  so  closely  upon  the  heels  of 
Vicksburg,  nearly  drove  the  boys  out  of  their  wits. 
They  cheered,  and  screamed,  and  laughed,  arid  shook 
hands  together,  until  they  were  completely  exhausted, 
while  the  rebels  stood  sullenly  looking  on,  tamely 
remarking,  "Upon  the  whole,  we  rather  reckon  we  *  are 
glad  of  it." 


224  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  men  were  ordered  inside  of  the  breastworks  at 
dark,  and  directed  to  watch  in  the  trenches  the  same  as 
on  other  nights,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  enemy, 
several  hundred  of  whom  made  the  attempt.  The  first 
quiet  night  the  men  had  experienced  at  Port  Hudson, 
they  slept  as  soundly  as  joyful  hearts  would  let  them. 

At  7  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  9th  of  July,  was  the  time  set 
for  the  formal  act  of  surrender  and  the  occupation  of  the 
fort.  All  were  astir  at  daybreak,  to  clean  up  and  put 
themselves  in  as  much  of  a  holiday  attire  as  their  ragged 
clothing  would  admit,  in  order  to  present  their  best  ap 
pearance  at  the  great  military  event  about  to  transpire. 
The  spot  chosen  for  the"  ceremony  was  an  open  area,  near 
the  flag-staff,  opposite  the  centre  of  the  river  batteries, 
and  very  near  the  bank.  Along  the  main  street  the 
soldiers  composing  the  garrison  were  up  in  line,  at  6 
o'clock,  having  all  their  personal  baggage,  arms  and 
equipments  with  them.  General  Gardner  and  staff,  with 
a  numerous  escort,  occupied  a  position  on  the  right  of  the 
line. 

A  little  before  the  time,  the  Union  column  was  put  in 
motion.  To  the  music  of  innumerable  bands,  they 
tramped  down  the  Clinton  road,  and  precisely  at  the  ap- 
pointed  hour  marched  over  the  breastAvorks  into  the  fort. 
First  came  the  storming  party,  who  had  volunteered,  a 
thousand  strong,  to  assault  the  place,  now  detailed  as  a 
party  of  occupation,  commanded  by  Colonel  Birge,  of  the 
Thirteenth  Connecticut.  It  was  fitting  that  they  should 
lead  the  way  with  the  flag  of  bloodless  victory,  who  had 
volunteered  to  do  so  with  bayonet  and  saber.  Xext 
came  Weitzel's  Brigade,  led  by  Colonel  Thomas,  of  the 
Eighth  Vermont.  Artillery  closed  in  with  the  infantry, 
and  as  the  grand  cortege  swept  through  the  broad  streets 


AND  FOURTEENTH   RKGIMK.NT.  225 

of  Port  Hudson,  with  the  grand  old  national  airs  for  the 
first  time  in  many  months  breaking  upon  the  morning 
stillness,  the  scene  was  most  impressive  and  soul-stirring. 
Never  did  music  sound  sweeter,  never  did  men  march 
with  lighter  steps,  or  greater  rejoicing,  than  our  troops, 
as  they  came  into  the  place  which  had  cost  the  lives  of 
many  of  their  gallant  comrades.  All  their  sorrows  for 
their  Bosses,  all  their  joy  for  their  present  victory,  came 
to  their  minds  at  once.  But  every  private  bereavement 
was  instantly  forgotten  in  the  nation's  great  gain,  and 
every  man  justly  seemed  proud  to  have  had  a  part  in  one 
of  the  greatest  triumphs  of  the  war. 

Passing  directly  across  from  the  breastworks  on  the 
land  side  to  the  right  flank,  they  halted  and  fronted  op 
posite  the  rebel  line.  As  our  boys  rose  on  the  plain,  the 
long  line  of  the  enemy,  stretching  as  far  almost  as  the 
eye  could  reach,  with  rebel  officers  gaily  attired,  sur 
rounded  by  their  staffs,  presented  a  novel,  and  animating 
spectacle  to  their  view.  Presently,  General  Gardner  and 
ataffrode  out  to  meet  General  Andrews,  the  Chief-of-Staff 
of  General  Banks,  and  tearfully  presented  to  him  his 
sword,  with  the  brief  words  :  "  Sir !  I  surrender  to  you 
the  forces  and  fortifications  of  Port  Hudson."  General 
Andrews  made  a  brief  reply,  and  kissing  the  hilt,  at  once 
returned  the  sword.  The  order  rang  out,  "  Ground 
arms,"  and  six  thousand  conquered  rebels  meekly  laid 
their  guns  upon  the  ground.  In  a  few  moments  a  party 
of  sailors  was  tugging  away  at  the  halyards  of  the  tall 
flag-pole  near  the  bluff,  and  the  hated  .rag  of  secession 
descended.  In  a  moment  more  the  glorious  old  stars  and 
stripes  arose,  their  ample  folds  floating  in  the  breeze, 
amid  the  cheers  of  thousands  of  spectators,  and  the 
thunders  of  saluting  artillery. 


226  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

For  years  to  come,  when  the  participants  of  that  scene 
shall  have  become  gray-headed  and  bent  with  age,  the 
events  of  that  morning  will  be  treasured  as  the  happiest 
recollections  of  their  lives. 

Thus  fell  Port  Hudson  !  From  henceforth  "  the  Father 
of  Waters  goes  unvexed  to  the  sea."  The  memory  of 
slain  comrades  was  vindicated.  The  disasters  of  the 
27th  of  May  and  the  14th  of  June  were  more  than  com 
pensated  by  the  victorious  result. 

It  is  probable  that  the  number  of  killed  and  wounded 
during  the  investment  and  siege  can  never  be  ascertained. 
The  mortality  from  all  causes  had  been  appalling.  The 
reminiscences  of  that  eventful  period  bring  to  mind  many 
singular  facts,  and  startling  coincidents.  Among  them 
we  are  led  to  notice  the  remarkable  fatality  among  the 
Regimental  Commanders  of  our  old  Brigade.  Every 
Regiment,  except  one,  that  left  Baltimore  on  the  Bank? 
expedition,  lost  its  commanding  officer  before  Port  Hud 
son.  Colonel  Rodman,  of  the  Thirty-Eighth  Massachu 
setts  ;  Colonel  Cowles,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Twenty- 
Eighth  New  York ;  Colonel  Chapin,  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Sixteenth  New  York ;  and  our  beloved  Colonel 
Smith — all  fell  mortally  wounded,  while  leading  in  one 
of  the  assaults  upon  the  works  of  the  enemy.  They 
were  patriots,  all.  As  strangers  they  met  at  the  call  of 
their  country,  and  soon  became  warm  friends,  and 
endeared  to  each  other  by  the  ennobling  qualities  that 
each  possessed.  Shoulder  to  shoulder  they  stood  in  the 
terrible  conflict^  -and  fell  almost  together,  beneath  the 
banner  they  were  endeavoring  to  bear  aloft.  The  names 
of  Cowles  and  Chapin,  especially,  next  to  the  men  and 
officers  of  our  own  Regiment,  are  familiar  to  our  men. 
The  gallant  Cowles  lived  about  an  hour  after  his  wound 


AKB  FOUKTEEXTH  KKGIMBMT.  227 

was  received,  and  his  last  words  were,  and  which  were 
characteristic  of  all,  "Tell  my  good  old  mother 'that  I 
died  doing  my  duty,  and  with  my  face  to  the  enemy." 

The  village  of  Port  Hudson  consists  of  some  half  u 
dozen  houses,  a  few  shops,  and  an  old  church,  at  the  time 
of  the  occupation  used  for  storing  peas.  Nearly  all  the 
buildings  inside  the  works  were  found  t£  have  been 
riddled  with  cannon  shot.  Every  thing,  indeed,  bore 
ample  proof  of  the  terrible  character  of  the  bombard 
ment  the  place  had  suffered.  The  ground  was  strewed 
with  tons  and  tons  of  cannon  balls  and  fragments  of 
shells,  the  earth  every  where  being  torn  up  in  deep  fur 
rows.  Trees  had  been  shattered,  or  cut  off,  and  in  some 
instances  large  numbers  of  guns  were  thrown  from  their 
carriages,  or  otherwise  disabled.  Near  the  ravines,  dead 
animals  filled  the  air  with  a  horrid  effluvia. 

Much  had  previously  been  said  by  deserters,  about  the 
quality  and  quantity  of  food  in  the  fort.  The  worst 
statements  proved  correct.  Mule  meat,  peas,  and  unbolt 
ed  com  meal,  were  found  in  very  limited  quantities. 
Their  mill  had  been  destroyed  by  shells ;  but  rather 
than  eat  raw  corn,  they  had  resorted  to  an  ingenious  con 
trivance,  whereby  a  small  locomotive  engine  was  made  to 
grind  a  coarse  meal.  Their  burying  ground  was  covered 
over  with  new  made  mounds.  It  was  subsequently  as 
certained  that  a  number  of  their  graves  were  filled  with 
cannon  and  ordnance  stores.  In  this  way  the  wily 
rebels  thought  they  could  forever  conceal,  what  in  honor 
bound  they  should  have  surrendered.  The  magazines — 
the  store-houses,  containing  coarse  clothing  and  equip 
ments — the  breastworks — the  big  guns,  labeled  with 
fanciful  names,  such  as  "  Lady  Davis,"  "  Screamer.'1 
"  Lady  Washington,"  etc., — the  camps  of  ragged  tents — 


228  RECX)KD  OF  THE  ONE  IIITN  DRIED 

the  hospitals,  filled  with  sick  and  wounded — were  all 
visited  by  our  men,  who  gathered  up  here  and  there  little 
mementoes  of  the  captured  place. 

Rations  were  immediately  issued  to  the  famished  pris 
oners,  and  while  they  were  devouring  the  grateful  food, 
our  boys  employed  their  minds  in  conversing  with 
them,  and  askmg  a  thousand  Yankee  questions.  A  kind 
and  forgiving  spirit  seemed  to  spring  up  between  the 
men  of  the  late  contending  armies.  No  fears  for  the 
future  seemed  to  trouble  these  heroes  of  many  battles,  as 
they  talked  of  the  scenes  in  which  they  all  had  borne  a 
part.  Ere  the  day  closed,  many  hearts  were  knit  togeth 
er  in  friendly  bonds,  which  a  few  hours  before  were 
severed  by  the  deepest  enmity.  They  complimented  each 
other  upon  their  bravery,  and  exchanged  many  little 
presents.  When  they  argued  the  claims  of  the  different 
causes,  they  did  so  in  a  quiet  and  respectful  manner. 
Among  the  officers  there  was  the  same  good  feeling.  Af 
ter  the  ceremony  was  over,  General  Weitzel  was  present 
ed  with  a  fine  chestnut  charger,  by  a  rebel  officer  who 
was  formerly  his  pupil  at  West  Point.  The  General  had 
several  class  mates  and  pupils  among  the  officers  of  the* 
garrison,  and  they  all  seemed  glad  to  revive  the  days  long- 
gone  by,  when  they  enjoyed  that  union  of  hands  and 
hearts  which  a  strange  fanaticism  had  severed. 

The  history  of  the  siege  of  Port  Hudson  would  be  in 
complete  without  publishing  the  following  congratulatory 
order,  which  was  subsequently  received  by  the  army  : 

HSAOQUAKTKRi  DKPARTMKNT  OF  THE  GULF,   19TH  ARMY  CORPS, 

?S"KW  ORLKANS,  August  5,  1863. 
GKNKRAL  ORDERS  No.  57. 

The  Commanding  General  takes  great  pleasure  in  communicating;  to 
the  troops  of  this  Department,  the  contents  of  the  following  despatch, 
this  dav  received  from  the  General-in-Chief: 


AND  FOURTEENTH  UEGIMKNT.  22£ 

"  HEADQUARTERS  OK  THK  ARMY,  ) 
WASHINGTON,  July  23,  1863.     f 
Major  Genera]  Banks,  New  Orleans : 

GENERAL  : — Your  despatches  of  July  8th,  announcing  the  surrender 
of  Port  Hudson,  are  received.  I  congratulate  you  and  your  army  on 
the  crowning  success  of  the  campaign.  It  was  reserved  for  your  army 
to  strike  the  last  blow  to  open  the  Mississippi  river.  The  country,, 
and  especially  the  Great  West,  will  remember  with  gratitude  their 
services. 

Very  respect •  fully,  your  obedient  servant, 

H.  W.  HALLECK,  General-in-ChieC 

By  command  of  Major  General  BANKS: 

RICHARD  B.  IRWIN, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General.. 


230  KKO/ORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

O,  bravely  came  we  off, 
When  with  a  volley  of  our  needless  shot, 
After  such  a  bloody  toil,  we  bid  good  night ; 
And  wound  our  tatter'd  colors  clearly  np. 

KING  JOUN. 

His  marches  are  expedient  to  this  town, 
His  forces  strong,  his  soldiers  confident.        ^ 
IBID. 

Finally,  at  8  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  surrender, 
the  Regiment  marched  down  the  road  that  had  been  cut 
through  the  steep  bluff,  and  embarked  on  the  steamer 
•'St.  Maurice.  As  the  sun  was  setting,  the  yellow  cliffs  of 
Port  Hudson  disappeared  from  sight.  On  the  commodi 
ous  boat  the  boys  found  ample  room  to  spread  their 
blankets  for  a  comfortable  night's  rest. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  1  Oth  of  July,  the  vessel 
tied  up  to  the  banks  at  the  village  of  Ponaldsonville, 
among  a  throng  of  other  steamers.  In  a  short  time  the 
men  had  disembarked  and  put  up  their  little  shelters  be 
hind  the  levee,  making  all  preparations  for  a  stay  at  this 
"place  for  several  days. 

Donaldsonvillc  is  the  county  seat  of  the  Parish  of  As 
cension,  situated  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Mississippi, 
at  its  junction  with  Bayou  La  Fourche.  At  an  early  day 
it  was  the  capital  of  Louisiana,  and  for  a  short  time  was 
the  seat  of  legislature  for  the  Confederate  goverment  of 
the  state.  It  was  once  a  place  of  considerable  elegance 
•and  refinement,  containing  a  population  of  several  thou 
sand  people,  but  it  was  now  in  ruins,  having  been  burned 


AVD  FOURTEENTH  EEGIMBHT.  231 

a  year  before  by  Admiral  Farragut,  for  rebellious  out 
rages  upon  his  vessels.  Several  fine  churches  and  edifices 
still  remained  to  attest  its  former  prosperity. 

Upon  the  northern  point  of  land,  where  Bayou  La 
Fourche  draws  off  from  the  Mississippi  a  large  stream  of 
water,  is  situated  a  formidable  little  fort  called  "Fort 
Butler."  Here,  within  a  week,  a  small  garrison  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty  men  had  driven  off  the  whole  force  of 
General  Dick  Taylor,  actually  capturing  more  prisoners 
than  there  were  men  in  the  fort.  The  attack  was  made  upon 
the  representation  of  rebel  citizens,  acting  as  spies,  that 
the  fort  contained  but  a  small  number  of  Union  troops,, 
and  these  mostly  convalescents.  Yet  the  enemy,  though 
vastly  superior  in  numbers,  was  repulsed  and  pretty 
severely  punished. 

When  Weitzel's  Brigade  landed  at  Donaldsonville,  the 
rebel  pickets  were  within  sight  of  the  town,  and  their 
army  of  some  fifteen  or  eighteen  thousand  a  few  miles 
distant.  They  had  also  established  a  heavy  battery  on 
the  river,  a  little  way  below  the  town,  so  that  for  some 
time  no  vessel  had  succeeded  in  passing  the  dangerous 
point.  When  the  iron-dads  came  down  from  Port  Hud 
son,  the  first  day  after  the  surrender,  they  very  easily 
disposed  of  this  annoyance. 

Immediately  upon  the  landing  of  the  Brigade,  there 
was  thrown  out  a  picket  line,  before  which  the  rebels  fell 
back.  That  very  morning  the  rebel  General  had  demand 
ed  the  surrender  of  the  fort,  and  in  case  of  refusal  had 
threatened  an  immediate  attack..  It  must  have  been  a 
source  of  astonishment  and  discomfort  to  him,  to  have 
seen  so  large  a  body  of  blue-coats  landing  at  Donaldson- 
•vsille  at  so  inopportune  a  time.  Every  hour  a  new  vessel 
arrived  and  discharged  its  cargo  of  soldiers,  until  by. 


232  RECORD  OF  TIIK  ONE 

night  a  force  of  over  ten  thousand  men  had  collected 
about  the  fort,  to  the  infinite  delight  of  the  little  garrison 
who  had  struggled  so  hard  and  so  long  against  the  gray 
hordes  which  had  surrounded  them.  Deserters  from  the 
enemy,  who  came  into  our  lines  during  the  night,  report 
ed  that  General  Taylor  boasted  before  his  men  that  he 
had  compelled  General  Banks  to  raise  the  siege  of  Port 
Hudson,  and  come  to  the  relief  of  Fort  Butler.  How 
great  was  his  delusion,  and  how  fortunate  it  was  for 
General  Banks  and  his  army,  that  Port  Hudson  surren 
dered  when  it  did. 

For  several  days  nothing  occurred  of  any  moment, 
only  that  there  was  considerable  skirmishing  most  of  the 
time. 

On  the  13th,  there  was  an  advance  made  upon  the 
rebels.  Morgan's  and  Dudley's  Brigades  followed  up  the 
retreating  enemy  for  several  miles,  when  he  turned  and 
fell  upon  them  with  great  power.  The  battle  of  "  Cox 
Plantation,"  was  a  long  and  desperate  contest,  but  finally 
our  small  forces  were  overpowered  and  retreated  in  great 
confusion.  Here  was  another  disastrous  example  of  the 
folly  of  attacking  the  enemy  by  small  detachments. 

Late  in  the  afternoon,  while  our  boys  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  were  preparing  their  evening 
supper  in  camp,  their  attention  was  attracted  down  the 
bayou  by  a  great  cloud  of  dust.  In  an  instant  after, 
there  was  seen  approaching  a  crowd  of  panic-stricken 
men,  mingled  with  ambulances  filled  with  wounded,  and 
cannon,  and  wagons,  and  frightened  negroes,  all  rushing 
up  the  road  in  deplorable  confusion.  General  Weitzel 
instantly  divined  the  cause  of  the  difficulty.  "  Order  out 
my  Brigade,"  said  he  as  he  mounted  his  horse  and  rode 
rapidly  away  to  the  scene  of  contest.  His  Brigade  was 


AND  FOUKTKKNTH  REGIMENT.  233 

• 

soon  moving  towards  the  front.  Going  about  a  mile,  it 
halted  and  formed  a  line  of  battle,  to  await  the  further 
onset  of  the  enemy,  and  cover  the  retreat  of  the  discom 
fited  troops.  The  rebels  did  not  dare  to  come  fforther. 
so  after  dark  our  boys  marched  back  to  their  camps. 
That  night  the  enemy  beat  a  precipitate  retreat,  having 
probably  heard  of  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson,  which  allowed 
of  the  concentration  of  the  whole  army  of  General  Banks 
against  him.  He  was  seen  no  more  in  Eastern  Lousiana. 

On  the  following  «day,  July  14th,  the  Regiment  was 
ordered  up  the  river  to  guard  a  steamboat,  while  she 
could  be  loaded  with  confiscated  forage.  Marching  some 
four  miles,  it  halted  in  front  of  a  fine  plantation,  and 
threw  out  a  guard.  Shortly  afterwards  the  boat  arrived, 
and  ti^d  up  to  the  bank.  The  most  of  the  day  was  spent 
in  emptying  the  corn  cribs  of  the  wealthy  pilanter,  and 
depriving  the  gardens  of  their  fruits.  Under  the  very 
nose  of  the  angry  proprietor,  our  boys  with  perfect  non- 
efialanee  would  help  themselves  to  melons  and  peaches, 
honey  and  vegetables. 

While  the  Regiment  remained  at  Donaldsonville,  the 
men  suffered  severely  from  tbe  excessive  heat  of  the  sun. 
Without  having  the  shade  of  a  solitary  tree,  the  boys 
were  compelled  to  lie,  during  the  heat  of  the  day,  beneath 
their  blanket  shelters,  or  under  rustic  arbors  formed  of 
twigs  and  boughs,  which  were  brought  some  distance 
from  the  forests.  They  suffered  equally  as  much  at  night, 
from  the  chilly  air,  and  from  the  heavy  dew  which  would 
drench  them  like  rain.  Their  clothes  and  blankets  were 
worn  out  long  before,  with  no  prospect  for  a  new  supply. 

On  the  15th  of  July,  the  whole  Brigade  was  drawn  up 
in  line  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  official  dispatches,  con 
taining  the  news  of  the  glorious  victory  at  Gettysburgh. 


234  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRBD 

After  three  times  three  had  been  given,  the  men  in  good 
spirits  returned  to  their  quarters. 

On  the  16th  of  July,  the  camp  was  moved  some  fifty 
rods,  and  placed  behind  a  small  Catholic  church.  This 
building  was  used  as  a  hospital,  and  filled  with  sick  and 
wounded,  irrespective  of  Regiment  or  Brigade,  and  our 
men  were  continually  compelled  to  hear  the  cries  of 
agony,  and  witness  scenes  of  death.  While  here,  Colonel 
Thomas  was  taken  ill,  and  Colonel  Robert  Merritt,  of  the 
Seventy-Fifth  ISTew  York,  succeeded  him  in  command. 

On  the  18th,  the  news  went  through  the  camp  that  a 
steamer  had  just  arrived  from  St.  Xouis.  A  crowd  of 
men  ran  down  to  the  levee  to  look  upon  the  magnificent 
steamer  Imperial,  the  pioneer  in  re-opening  the  navi 
gation  of  "the  Mississippi.  9 

Copies  of  the  last  muster  roll  had  been  procured  in 
Xew  Orleans,  and  the  officers  immediately  went  to  work 
to  fill  out  their  June  muster.  This  work  was  completed 
after  much  labor,  by  the  2&th,  so  that  they  were  in  readi 
ness  for  the  paymaster,  who  arrived  in  camp  the  day 
following.  A  table  was  set  up  in  front  of  the  Colonel's 
quarters,  and  Major  Alton  dealt  out  four  months'  pay  to 
the  boys.  -It  did  not  take  them  long  afterwards  to  find 
a  sutler's  shop,  and  bestow  their  greenbacks  upon  tobac 
co,  wines  and  eatables.  Crossing  the  pontoon  over  the 
bayou,  the  bridge  having  been  recently  burned,  they 
found  upon,  the  extreme  south-west  side  considerable 
trade  and  business  carried  on. 

After  twenty  days  of  laziness  and  discomfort  had  been 
passed  at  Donaldsonville,  at  length  an  order  was  an 
nounced  for  the  Brigade  to  'march  on  the  morning  of  the 
30th  of  July.  VT  *M.( 

At  4  o'clock,  reveille  sounded %  and  the  men  arose  to  eat 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  285 

an  early  breakfast,  pack  their  bundles,  and  be  ready  for  a 
move.  Soon  the  Brigade  was  in  line,  marching  down  the 
right  bank  of  Bayou  La  Fourche.  After  getting  be 
yond  the  limits  of  the  town,  the  music  ceased  and  the 
command  settled  down  to  a  day's  march.  As  they  passed 
along,  and  beheld  the  elegant  mansions,  bowers,  gardens 
and  groves,  the  men  began  to  argue  whether  the  La 
Fourche  country  could  not  better  claim  the  title  of  "  the 
Garden  of  Louisiana,"  than  the  Teche.  It  certainly 
seemed  a  place  of  enchantment  to  those  who  had  been  so 
lately  shut  up  within  the  dreary  woods  at  Port  Hudson, 
Every  turn  of  the  winding  road  would  reveal  some  new 
beauty ;  some  gothic  church  embowered  in  a  grove ; 
some  villa  set  in  blossoming  shrubbery;  some  neatly 
painted  sugar  mill,  or  some  whitewashed  cabin  covered 
with  creeping  vines. 

As  the  morning  passed  away,  the  men  began  to  be 
overpowered  with  the  burning  heat  of  the  sun.  At  10 
o'clock  it  was  ordered  that  the  troops  must  halt  in  some 
shade  during  the  middle  of  the  day,  and  not  resume  the 
march  till  late  in  the  afternoon.  The  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  rested  upon  a  grassy  and  shaded  lawn.  Here 
the  men  chatted  and  slept  away  the  mid-day  hours,  until 
3  o'clock,  when  they  continued  their  journey.  In  the 
evening  they  passed  through  the  handsome  little  village 
of  Paincourt,  and  at  8  o'clock  they  halted  in  a  field,  and 
in  the  dark  sought  out  places  to  sleep.  They  marched 
that  day  some  fourteen  miles. 

The  Regiment  was  aroused  on  the  following  morning 
at  4  o'clock,  and  were  quickly  under  motion  again.  Fol 
lowing  the  tortuous  windings  of  Bayou  La  Fourche,  they 
found  nothing  of  particular  interest  on  that  day's  march, 
only  observing  that  they  were  still  within  the  regions  of 

1C 


233  RECORD  OTf  THE  ONE  JIUNDKKD 

wealth  and  refinement.  Shortly  after  sunrise,  they  passed 
through  the  county  seat  of  the  Parish  of  Assumption, 
called  Napoleonville,  a  neat  and  thriving  town*.  Their 
nooning  that  day  was  taken  within  the  shade  of  a  heavy 
forest.  Before  they  had  started  out  for  their  evening's 
march,  one  of  the  most  violent  of  southern  thunder 
showers  came  up,  and  drenched  every  one  to  the  skin. 
Although  the  air  was  cooled,  yet  the  roads  were  extreme 
ly  muddy,  causing  as  much  discomfort  as  the  burning 
rays  of  the  sun.  Leaving  behind  the  little  settlement  of 
Albermarle,  the  Regiment  bivouaced  at  7  r.  M.  upon  an 
open  pasture.  The  adjoining  fences  were  soon  torn 
down,  fires  built,  suppers  disposed  of,  and  presently  the 
men  were  wrapped  in  sleep. 

At  4  o'clock  of  August  1st,  the  morning  air  was  stirred 
with  the  sound  of  beating  drums.  Instantly  the  mummy- 
shaped  bundles  of  blankets  that  lay  scattered  about  the 
ground  became  animate  with  life.  The  smouldering  fires* 
were  revived.  The  dead  stillness  of  night  was  broken  by 
shouts  of  laughter,  by  braying  of  mules,  and  every  variety 
of  noise  which  a  busy  camp  can  make.  In  half  an  hour  tin* 
boys  were  again  marching.  In  a  short  time  they  came  to 
Labadieville,  a  place  made  memorable  by  a  severe' battle 
and  decisive  victory  in  October  of  the  previous  year. 
Here  General  Weitzel  made  his  first  and  successful 
attempt  at  war. 

Having  gone  about  eight  miles,  at  0  o'clock  the  Regi 
ment  turned  off  from  the  road,  and  halted  in  the  shaded 
lawn  of  a  deserted  plantation.  The  house  was  in  ruins, 
having  been  burned  in  the  early  part  of  the  war.  Form 
ing  a  line  of  battle  beneath  a  row  of  fruit  trees,  the  arms 
were  stacked,  and  the  men  informed  that  now  they  had 
arrived  at  a  permanent  camp.  "  Make  yourselves  as 


AICP  FOUBTKKNTH  REGIMBNT.  237 

comfortable  as  you  can,"  was  the  order  given,  "for  this 
shall  be  your  summer  quarters."  The  boys  greeted  this 
joyful  news  with  deafening  cheers.  As  soon  as  the  lines 
were  broken,  they  looked  about  the  pleasant  location, 
and  found  every  convenience  that  a  soldier  Jcould  wish. 
Like  ants  about  an  ant-hill,  they  scattered  over  the 
ground,  each  one  busying  himself  in  gathering  up  lum 
ber  and  fuel,  staking  and  building  the  future  camp,  or  in 
searching  for  tools,  or  bits  of  furniture.  The  other  Regi 
ments  of  the  Brigade  were  similarly  situated,  in  adjoin 
ing  fields  and  groves.  General  Weitzel  arrived,  and 
again  assumed  temporary  command  of  the  "  Old  Brigade." 

This  post  was  designated  as  "  Camp  Hubbard,"  and 
was  situated  two  miles  from  Thibodeaux,  and  five  from 
the  depot  of  La  Fourche  Crossing,  on  the  Opelousas  rail 
road.  The  camp  was  ranged  along  the  western  tevee  of 
the  bayou,  whose  strong  current  at  all  times  furnished  a 
fresh  supply  of  Mississippi  water.  In  consequence  of  the 
total  loss  of  camp  equipage  by  the  capture  of  Brashear 
City,  new  tents  were  issued  to  the  whole  command,  to 
gether  with  cooking  utensils,  books,  and  what  was  most 
needed,  a  bountiful  allowance  of  clothing.  For  the  first 
time  in  several  months,  the  men  really  enjoyed  them 
selves.  With  zeal  they  performed  their  camp  duties, 
each  one  striving  to  present  his  best  appearance  at  dress 
parade  and  guard  mount,  all  striving  to  make  the  camp 
the  cleanest  and  most  attractive  in  the  Brigade. 

From  the  ruins  of  an  adjoining  house,  the  men  took 
brick  to  pave  their  company  streets.  In  an  old  sugar 
mill  near  by  were  found  a  number  of  large  earthen  jars, 
which  the  men  carried  to  camp  and  placed  in  the  ground 
to  serve  as  "  water  coolers."  By  the  aid  of  what  littlt 
lumber  the  boys  could  find,  cook  shanties  were  construct- 


238  RECORD  OF  THB  ONE  HUWDK»T> 

ed  on  the  banks  of  the  bayou,  and  sentry  stations  were 
built  around  the  camp,  to  protect  the  sentinels  frojn  the 
weather.  An  old  building  behind  the  camp  was  repaired, 
and  transformed  into  a  hospital. 

Dwight  Parce,  the  sutler,  had  been  taken  prisoner  at 
the  capture  of  Brashear  City,  and  carried  off  to  Texas. 
A  citizen  of  New  Orleans,  Michael  Pigott,  was  appointed 
to  iill  the  place  during  the  absence  of  Mr.  Parce,  and 
opened  an  establishment  filled  with  all  the  necessaries 
and  luxuries  a  soldier  requires.  Between  the  enjoyment 
of  ease,  amusement,  and  light  duties,  the  days  at  Camp 
Hubbard  passed  pleasant!^  and  swiftly  away.  A  system 
of  passes  was  instituted,  whereby  a  certain  number  of 
officers  and  privates  could  be  absent  from  camp  at  a 
time.  Thus  nearly  every  one  had  an  opportunity  to  visit 
the  neighboring  town  of  Thibodeaux,  or  go  about  to  ad 
joining  plantations,  where  they  could  obtain  milk,  hoe- 
cakes,  or  fruit.  Permission,  even,  was  often  given  to  go  to 
New  Orleans. 

On  the  16th  day  of  August,  three  officers,  Captains 
Knowlton  and  Bockee,  and  Lieutenant  Schemerhorn, 
with  six  Sergeants,  departed  for  the  north  on  recruiting 
service,  amid  hand-shakings  and  good-byes  of  their  com 
mands.  That  same  day  a  garrison  flag  Avas  raised  over 
the  camp,  which  was  saluted  by  thirty-four  guns  from  the 
First  Maine  Battery. 

Although  the  Regiment  had  hoped  to  remain  in  Camp 
Hnbbard  during  the  hot  season,  yet  they  w'ere  doomed  to 
disappointment.  But  a  little  over  two  weeks  had  elapsed, 
before  an  order  was  given  to  "  be  ready  to  move  at  three 
tours'  notice,  with  one  day's  rations."  Brashear  City 
evidently  was  their  next  destination,  for  it  was  known 
the  rebels  but  a  short  time  before  had  evacuated 


AXD  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  239 

that  place,  and  a  party  of  our  troops  was  needed  to  oc 
cupy  it.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  and  Twelfth 
Connecticut  were  selected  for  that  duty,  while  the  balance 
of  the  Brigade  remained  in  their  summer  quarters. 

At  1  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  August  19th,  reveille 
sounded,  the  tents  were  struck  and  packed  in  wagons, 
and  partaking  of  a  hearty  breakfast,  tfie  Regiment  bade 
adieu  to  Camp  Hubbard.  The  night  was  intensely  dark, 
and  the  road  was  extremely  muddy.  One  who  has  never 
walked  on  Louisiana  soil,  when  its  surface  has  been  moist 
ened  by  rain,  can  form  no  adequate  conception  of  its? 
slippery,  slimy,  greasy  chara^r.  It  is  easier  to  stand 
upright  upon  glaring  ice,  than  in  a  Louisiana  road  at 
such  times.  As  the  Regiment  slowly  groped  its  way 
through  the  darkness  and  mud  that  night,  every  few 
moments  some  luckless  wight,  in  making  a  mis-step,  was 
precipitated  headlong  in  the  mud,  amid  a  great  clatter  of 
bayonets  and  canteens.  In  trying  to  regain  his  feet,  or 
in  searching  around  for  his  scattered  "  traps,"  it  is  proba 
ble  he  would  manage  to  trip  up  three  or  four  more  of  his 
comrades,  so  that  nearly  every  one  in  the  Regiment  be 
came  subjects  of  like  disaster.  The  boys,  however,  took 
it  all  in  good  part.  There  was  a  little  cursing,  but  more 
of  jollity  and  laughter  over  their  mishaps.  So  many  ludi 
crous  scenes  occurred,  and  so  many  rich  jokes  were 
perpetrated,  that  all  were  kept  in  wonderful  good  humor. 

Passing  through  Thibodeauxville,  one  of  the  largest 
and  finest  towns  of  Louisiana,  aird  the  county  seat  of  the 
Parish  of  La  Fourche  Interior,  the  column  turned  off 
upon  the  road  to  Terre  Bonne.  When  daylight  came,, 
the  Regiment  truly  presented  a  comical  sight.  But  few 
had  escaped  contact  in  some  way  with  mother  eartb. 
Not  only  their  clothing  and  equipments,  but  in  many 
cases  their  faces,  were  plastered  over  with  a  thick  coating 


240  RECORD  OF  THE  OWE  K 

of  mud,  from  which  would  peep  a  pair  of  piteous  looking 
eyes.  One  man  asserted  that  when  he  gaped  there  was 
"  an  earthquake  ;"  and  another  declared  that  he  was  car 
rying  along  "  a  hill  of  sweet  potatoes  in  each  pocket ;" 
and  still  another  stuck  to  it  that  there  was  "  a  nest  of 
angle  worms  in  hj^  ears."  In  one  part  of  the  line  there 
was  an  animated  discussion,  as  to  whether  a  certain 
companion  was  carrying  on  his  shoulder  "  a  dirty  stick 
or  a  musket."  Among  another  squad  of  facetious  men, 
they  were  dilating  upon  the  advantages  of  each  man 
carrying  "  his  own  earthworks  upon  his  back,"  when  a 
sober  looking  man  cut  shfrt  the  conversation  by  remark 
ing  that  "  the  proper  place  for  breastworks  is  in  the 
front." 

At  7  o'clock  the  Regiment  arrived  at  Terre  Bonne,  and 
stacked  arms  beside  the  track.  In  a  short  time  a  train 
was  made  ready,  and  the  men  jumped  aboard  the  plat 
form  cars.  After  the  baggage  had  been  loaded  on,  the 
whistle  blew,  and  they  were  hurrying  on  towards  Brash- 
ear  City.  Passing  through  the  familiar  stations  of  Chucka- 
houla,  Tigerville,  Bayou  Boenf  and  Bayou  Ramos,  at  1 2 
o'clock  they  arrived  at  their  destination. 

Brashear  City,  that  had  once  been  the  theatre  of  so 
much  activity — the  depot  of  supplies  for  the  whole  army 
— now  looked  sad  and  desolate  indeed.  The  camps  with 
their  busy  inmates  were  gone  ;  the  depot  was  empty  and 
deserted ;  the  fort  was  dismantled  and  in  ruins  ;  the 
houses  were  broken  open,  and  were  windowless  and  door- 
less.  The  rail  road  track  was  covered  with  the  charred 
ruins  of  engines  and  cars.  The  only  signs  of  life  that 
could  be  seen  were  a  couple  of  lonesome  looking  gun 
boats,  the  Clifton  and  Sachem,  lying  at  the  docks,  and 
a  few  solitary  soldiers  walking  the  streets. 

The  Regiment  marched  off  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  th<> 


AND  FOURTJEJEHTH  RHGIMENT.  241 

north  of  the  rail  road,  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  and  pitch- 
ed  their  tents  upon  a  piece  of  ground  vacated  by  the 
Twelfth  Connecticut,  which  took  a  new  position  on  the 
south  side  of  the  track.  Colonel  Per  Lee,  by  virtue  of 
his  rank,  became  the  Commandant  of  the  post,  and  loca 
ted  his  Head-quarters  in  a  well  furnished  house  close  by 
the  camp. 

The  duty,  at  this  time,  was  very  onerous.  A  large 
part  of  the  Regiment  was  detailed  every  day  for  picket, 
which  was  posted  along  the  banks  of  the  bay  for  miles 
above  the  town.  Another  party  was  distributed  along  a 
path  through  a  swamp  in  the  rear  of  the  town,  to  a  point 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Palourde.  This  latter  place  was 
where  the  rebels  landed  in  their  attack  on  Brashear  City, 
which  resulted  in  its  capture.  It  is  in  fact  ,the  only  vul 
nerable  spot  of  the  really  strong  position  of  Brashear 
City  ;  and  the  rebels  found  it  unguarded.  Such  culpable 
neglect  on  the  part  of  the  Post  Commandant  can  only  be 
accounted  for  in  the  fact  that  he  betrayed  his  trust!  In 
deed,  all  the  evidence  given  by  citizens  and  escaped 
prisoners  goes  to  show  that  the  place  was  "  sold,"  or  de 
signedly  given  up. 

In  connection  with  this  there  is  another  strange  affair, 
which  has  excited  some  serious  and  painful  thoughts 
among  very  many  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Army  of  the 
Gulf.  After  the  fall  of  Port  Hudson,  the  rebel  General 
Taylor,  perceiving  the  danger  his  army  was  in,  beat  a 
hasty  retreat  from  Lower  Louisiana  to  the  prairies  of 
Western  Louisiana  and  Texas.  His  only  outlet  of  escape 
was  across  Berwick  Bay  at  Brashear  City.  This  situa 
tion  was  so  well  known  to  the  private  soldiers  that  it  was 
a  common  talk  around  their  camp-fires,  while  lying  at 
Donnldsonville,  that  there  was  n«  need  of  hastening  the 


242  RKCOED  OF  THE  OWE  HUNDUKL* 

retreat  of  the  enemy,  for  the  navy  would  effectually  stop 
him  at  Brashear  City.  The  men  never  doubted  for  a 
moment  but  that  Taylor's  army  was  virtually  captured. 
They  cannot  but  help  consider  what  glorious  result* 
might  have  followed  so  easy  an  undertaking.  It  took  in 
all  some  three  weeks  for  General  Taylor  to  move  his  army 
up  to  the  bay,  and  cross  it  over,  having  at  that  point  but 
a  couple  of  insignificant  steamboats.  One  gunboat  from 
the  large  fleet  which  was  lying  idle  at  New  Orleans, 
could,  within  forty-eight  hours,  passing  around  through 
the  Gulf  into  the  Bay,  have  cut  oif  the  whole  rebel  force 
from  escape.  Why,  during  all  this  time,  this  was  not 
done,  is  a  question  that  thousands  of  men  would  like  to 
have,  solved.  Indeed,  General  Taylor  himself  appreciated 
his  position,  for  he  made  this  remark  at  the  time,  to  a 
citizen  of  Brashear  City :  "  My  army  is  bagged,  and  the 
string  is  tied,  yet  I  shall  make  every  effort  to  save  it,  but  % 
without  any  hopes." 

Brashear  City,  at  the  time  of  the  year  of  which  we 
write,  presented  but  few  attractions  to  a  soldier.  The 
air  swarmed  with  tfre  most  voracious  musquitoes.  The 
water  of  the  bay  was  so  low  that  the  sea  affected  it, 
making  it  so  brackish  that  nothing  but  the  most  intolera 
ble  thirst  could  induce  the  men  to  drink  it.  The 
weather  was  so  rainy  and  the  land  so  low,  that  thick  mud 
existed  everywhere.  The  swamps  in  this  hot  season 
generated  the  most  deadly  malaria.  Intermittents  became 
epidemics.  There  broke  out  in  the  Twelfth  Connecticut 
a  malarious  fever,  very  malignant,  and  which  caused  '<\ 
frightful  fatality  in  their  ranks.  The  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  was  fortunately  spared  from  the  ravages  of 
this  disease. 

On  the  22d  of  August,  Paymaster  Alton  came  to  the 


A.JTD  FOURTEENTH  RE3IMEMT.  24o 

Regiment,    and    distributed    to    the     men     "  allotment 
checks,"  which  were  due  at  the  last  payment. 

On  the  24th,  a  flag  of  truce  was  exhibited  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  bay.  Upon  making  reply,  it  was  found 
that  the  wife  of  Governor  Mouton  begged  permission  to 
come  within  the  Union  lines.  The  request  was  granted, 
on  condition  that  she  remain  inside. 

Ft  began  to  be  rumored  around  that  the  enemy  was 
meditating  another  attack  upon  Brashear  City.  This  re 
port  was  confirmed  by  the  corroborating  statements  of 
runaway  negroes  and  escaped  prisoners.  Resolved  not  to 
sacrifice  the  place  as  cheaply  as  before,  every  effort  was 
made  for  defense.  A  small  earthwork  was  thrown  up  to 
protect  the  rail  road  track,  and  a  small  detachment  was 
sent  to  guard  the  rear  at  Bayou  Boeuf.  Companies  A, 
B,  D,  I  and  K,  were  designated  for  this  duty,  who  left 
for  that  place  on  the  afternoon  of  August  27th,  on  the 
gunboat  Sachem.  An  hour's  ride  on  Yellow  Bayou 
brought  them  to  their  destination.  They  pitched  their 
tents  near  the  track,  and  posted  a  line  of  pickets  along 
the  bayou.  Captain  Lake  was  in  command  of  this  de 
tachment.  They  remained  here  but  three  days,  and  on 
the  30th  returned  by  rail  to  Brashear  City. 

On  the  31st,  the  Regiment  was  mustered  for  pay. 
accompanied  with  a  rigid  inspection.  At  dress  parade  of 
that  evening,  a  batch  of  orders  was  read,  among  which 
was  one  to  return  to  duty  all  prisoners  paroled  at  Brash- 
ear  City,  by  reason  of  informality  of  their  paroles.  An 
other  directed  the  Regiment  to  be  ready  to  move  at  a 
moment's  notice.  But  where,  was  a  question  no  one 
could  answer.  It  was  the  general  impression  that  there 
was  being  fitted  out  an  expedition  against  Mobile.  One 
thing  was  certain :  the  preparation  showed  that  fighting 
was  near  at  hand. 


244  RKCORD  OF  TJLITC  ONK 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

Now,  the  next  day, 
Vf&e  our  »ea  fight. 

HAXUTT. 

Do  not  fight  by  sea ; 
Truet  not  to  rotten  planka. 

ANTOHY  AMD  CLKOPATRA.. 

On  the  afternoon  of  Wednesday  the  2d  of  September, 
the  final  order  came,  and  the  Regiment  struck  camp  and 
marched  to  the  depot.  After  some  delay  it  jumped 
aboard  the  cars  and  started,  at  sundown,  for  Algiers. 
Through  a  dark  and  chilly  night,  the  men  dozed 
away  the  hours,  trying  to  get  what  sleep  their  crowded 
condition  would  permit.  At  3  o'clock  they  stopped  near 
the  depot  of  Algiers.  Leaving  the  cars,  they  spread 
their  blankets  on  the  ground  and  slept  till  daylight. 

The  balance  of  the  Brigade,  several  days  before,  had 
broken  up  Camp  Hubbard,  and  coming  to  Algiers,  had 
encamped  about  half  a  mile  from  the  town,  upon  the 
banks  of  the  river.  Hither  our  Regiment  proceeded  at 
D  o'clock,  and  pitched  their  tents  upon  a  grassy  field. 

Algiers  was  alive  with  busy  throngs  of  soldiers,  and 
bustling  with  active  preparations  for  the  coming  cam 
paign.  The  country  around  was  filled  with  the  camps  of 
the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  who  had  but  just  arrived 
from  Vicksburg,  having  been  sent  to  reinforce  the  Army 
of  the  Gulf.  It  was  waiting  transportation  to  Brashear 
City.  From  thence  it  was  to  move  up  the  Teche,  and 
cross  the  state  to  Texas.  A  fleet  of  ocean  transports 
were  lying  along  the  levee,  loading  with  troops  andarm# 
material. 


AKTB  FOUKTEJENTH  RBGIMKNT. 

It  was  conjectured  directly  that  there  was  to  be  a 
combined  movement  against  Texas.  Soon  after  the  arri 
val  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  its  officers  were 
ordered  to  turn  over  the  tents  of  their  respective  Com 
panies,  and  draw  shelters  in  their  stead.  These  shelter* 
are  small  pieces  of  thin  canvas,  intended  to  be  light 
enough  for  each  man  to  carry  upon  his  back.  One  shel 
ter  is  not  sufficiently  large  for  protection  from  the 
weather,  but  they  are  supplied  with  buttons,  so  that 
when  two  or  more  are  united  they  make  a  very  respecta 
ble  tent. 

Here  Major  General  Franklin  assumed  command  of  the 
Nineteenth  Army  Corps. 

After  remaining  in  Algiers  one  day,  on  the  4th  fhe 
Regiment  struck  tents,  and  embarked  on  the  steamer  Ga- 
hawba,  their  old  friend,  lying  at  the  dock.  Twelve  men 
from  Company  C,  under  Sergeant  Briggs,  were  detailed 
on  the  schooner  Okolona,  to  guard  ammunition.  Two 
other  Regiments,  the  Eighth  Vermont  and  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixtieth  New  York,  also  crowded  aboard  the 
steamer.  All  day  long  the  stevedores  were  busy  filling  the 
hold  of  the  vessel  with  provisions  and  ammunition.  At 
sundown  the  ship  swung  out  into  the  stream,  and  steam 
ed  rapidly  down  the  river.  She  had  proceeded  but  a 
short  distance  before  she  ran  down  and  sank  a  schooner 
loaded  with  cotton.  Stopping  only  long  enough  to  ascer 
tain  that  no  lives  were  lost,  she  proceeded  on  her  way. 

When  morning  came,  the  men  went  on  deck  and  found 
that  the  steamer  had  anchored  inside  the  bar  at  South- 
West  Pass.  All  around,  a  large  fleet,  thronged  with  sol 
diers,  was  lying  at  anchor.  That  day  they  remained 
there  without  any  thing  of  importance  occurring,  except 
that  the  fleet  was  augmented  by  the  arrival  of  other  ves— 


246  RECORD  OF  THE  OtfE  BUKDKBD 

sels.  The  United  States  mail  steam-ship  George  Crom 
well  came  in  from  sea,  and  stopped  a  few  minutes  to  leave 
some  Xew  York  papers  among  the  troops. 

At  daybreak  on  Sunday,  the  6th,  signals  from  General 
Franklin's  vessel  directed  the  fleet  to  go  to  sea.  One 
after  another  of  the  transports  hove  anchors,  and  threw 
a  line  of  foam  from  their  wheels.  Four  light  draught 
gunboats,  ten  ocean  steamers  and  six  river  boats,  com 
prised  the  fleet.  The  large  vessels  carried  the  army, 
which  consisted  of  about  ten  thousand  men  ;  the  smaller 
ones  the  horses  and  artillery.  It  was  evident  that  the 
expedition  was  prepared  in  great  haste.  The  accommo 
dations  for  the  men  were  insufficient,  and  by  packing  so 
many  together  in  close  ships,  at  such  a  season  of  the 
year,  was  productive  of  a  large  amount  of  sickness.  It 
was  also  a  source  of  surprise  that  the  authorities  should 
have  sent  to  sea  such  fragile  and  top-heavy  vessels  as 
river  steamboats,  when  it  was  almost  certain  that  the  first 
gale  would  swamp  them.  Some  of  the  steamers,  heavily 
loaded,  were  otherwise  burdened  by  having  in  tow  brigs 
and  other  craft.  Soon  the  marshy  land,  the  lighthouse, 
the  muddy  water,  disappeared,  and  they  were  out  upon 
the  bright  blue  ocean.  The  staunch  old  steamer  Cahaw- 
ba,  although  partly  disabled,  and  propelled  by  only  one 
wheel,  took  the  lead  of  the  fleet.  The  sea  was  calm,  and 
all  the  vessels  kept  in  sight^f  each  other.  When  dark 
ness  settled  down  upon  the  water,  the  men  went  below 
and  crawled  into  their  bunks  to  sleep. 

That  night,  a  year  before,  another  fleet  was  moving  ; 
not  upon  the  deep  blue  sea,  but  upon  the  peaceful  bosom 
of  a  canal.  It  was  not  an  armada  like  this,  but  contained 
-tea  lesser  craft,  freighted  with  a  thousand  men,  inspired 
l»y  the  genius  of  liberty,  and  the  love  of  country.  How 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  247 

different  the  scenes  of  that  day  and  this ;  the  events  how 
changed'!  What  hopes  and  fears,  what  joys  and  jsor- 
rows,  what  bright  anticipations  and  bitter  recollections 
have  been  crowded  within  the  short  space  of  one  event 
ful  year. 

On  rising  in  the  morning,  they  found  they  were  still 
rapidly  moving  on  towards  the  Texas  coast.  By  2  p.  M. 
the  fleet  came  in  sight  of  land.  Moving  on  to  within 
three  or  four  miles  of  shore,  at  6  o'clock  the  vessels  were 
signalled  to  heave  to  and  await  orders.  As  the  men 
leaned  over  the  taffrails  of  the  steamer,  and  gazed  -upon 
the  land,  they  could  not  help  but  ask  themselves  the 
question :  "  What  in  the  world  can  we  be  expected  to  do 
in  such  a  country?" 

A  low  and  sandy  shore  extended  far  beyond  the  range 
of  vision,  without  apparently  a  particle  of  vegetation. 
Opposite  the  fleet  was  a  narrow  inlet,  called  "Sabine 
Pass,"  near  which,  upon  a  sandy  knoll,  could  be  seen  an 
earthwork,  a  light-house,  and  a  few  shanties.  By  the  aid 
of  a  glass  there  could  be  distinguished  a  few  cannon  up 
on  the  fort,  and  now  and  then  was  discovered  a  human 
being  wandering  over  the  sands,  without  doubt  astonish 
ed  at  the  appearance  of  so  many  vessels.  A  lazy  looking 
blockader  was  lying  anchored  oif  the  Pass.  Such  was 
the  uninviting  prospect  that  greeted  our  boys'  arrival  at 
Texas. 

That  evening  was  a  calm  and  pleasant  one,  and  the 
men  enjoyed  themselves  in  lying  upon  the  deck,  admiring 
the  reflection  of  signal  lights  upon  the  sea,  and  listening 
to  the  music  of  distant  brass  bands  which  sounded  very 
sweetly  across  the  water. 

Going  upon  deck  the  morning  of  the  8th,  there  appear 
ed  to  be  considerable  activity  among  the  fleet,  and  signs 


348  RECORD  OP  THE  OSTS  HUNDRED 

of  an  approaching  attack.  Signal  flags  were  waving 
to  and  fro,  dispatch  boats  were  flying  hither  and  thither. 
Some  of  the  vessels  were  discharging  their  loads  of  sol 
diers  upon  others.  The  light  draught  boats  were  seen 
approaching  as  near  as  they  dare  to  the  shore.  Amid  all 
these  movements  the  Cahawba  was  undisturbed. 
Through  the  whole  day  she  lay  quietly  rolling  on  the 
«well,  a  mere  spectator  of  the  scenes  that  were  being 
enacted. 

At  9  o'clock  the  gunboat  Clifton  was  observed  ap 
proaching  the  Pass.  Soon  a  puff  of  white  smoke  was 
seen  rising  from  her  bows,  and  there  was  heard  an  indis 
tinct  rumbling  of  sound.  After  firing  a  few  shots 
without  receiving  a  reply  from  the  fort,  the  Clifton 
turned  and  came  back  to  the  outside  bar.-  She  was  only 
making  a  reconnoissance. 

It  took  a  long  time  to  make  preparations  for  the  land 
ing  of  the  troops.  But  at  last,  by  3  o'clock,  indications 
showed  that  the  action  was  about  to  begin.  The  gun 
boats  /Sachem,  Clifton  and  Arizona  steamed  rapidly 
towards  the  fort,  followed  at  a  safe  distance  by  the 
transports  Crescent  and  General  Banks,  filled  with 
troops,  and  guarded  by  the  Granite  City.  On  board  the 
Cahawba,  field  glasses  were  instantly  brought  into  use, 
and  sightly  positions  sought  for,  to  witness  the  engage 
ment.  It  was  an  uncommonly  clear  day,  and  objects 
could  be  seen  for  a  great  distance.  Presently  the  gun 
boats  were  enveloped  in  smoke,  and  a  faint  rumbling 
like  the  sound  of  distant  thunder  was  heard. 

The  fort  was  silent,  while  shells  were  exploding  over 
it,  and  the  opinion  began  to  increase  among  spectators 
that  the  wrork  was  evacuated.  It  was  not  till  the  Sachem 
started  boldly  up  the  channel,  that  a  column  of  smoke 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMKNT.  249 

shot  up  from  the  fort,  indicating  the  presence  of  the  ene 
my.  Now,  between  gunboats  and  fort,  the  engagement 
became  general,  and  very  warm.  In  a  few  moments,  the 
poor  Sachem  was  seen  enveloped  in  a  cloud  greater  than 
her  guns  could  make.  Her  boilers  were  perforated,  and 
steam  floated  lazily  out  of  her  hull.  When  the  thick 
volume  of  8team  had  partly  cleared  away,  enough  to 
bring  her  plainly  to  view,  the  spectators  observed  with 
pain  that  her  flag  was  down,  and  a  white  one  was  in  its 
place. 

Turning  their  attention  to  the  Clifton,  the  men  discov 
ered  that  she  was  hard  aground,  lying  over  with  her  hull 
towards  the  fort.  Still  her  guns  were  belching  away, 
with  as  much  energy  as  ever.  In  a  short  time  the  same 
accident  that  had  happened  to  the  Sachem  occurred  to 
her.  From  her  staff,  too,  a  white  flag  replaced  the  stars 
and  stripes.  The  Arizona,  finding  herself  alone  in  the 
tight,  withdrew,  and  in  company  with  the  transports 
came  back  across  the  bar. 

Within  half  an  hour,  two  small  rebel  steamboats  came 
in.  view  from  around  a  point  of  land,  and  towed  the 
Sachem  and  Clifton  out  of  sight.  These  vessels,  with 
their  brave  crews,  heretofore  so  well  known  to  our  men, 
were  never  seen  again. 

An  unexpected  turn  was  given  to  events.  As  the  men 
retired  to  rest  that  night,  they  discussed  the  question, 
4i  What  can  be  done  now,  since  the  only  available  gun 
boats  are  destroyed  ?" 

When  daylight  came,  they  found  that  the  problem  had 
been  solved,  for  the  fleet  was  then  under  way  back  to 
New  Orleans.  By  some  culpable  neglect  on  the  part  of 
the  commissariat,  rations  and  fresh  water  were  already 
nearly  exhausted.  How  could  the  men  avoid  the  refleo- 


250  RECORD  OF  THE  OXE  HUKDBED 

tion,  that  if  they  had  succeeded  in  landing  on  the  barren 
coast  of  Texas,  they  would  have  starved  for  want  of 
food  ?  It  may  have  been  fortunate  that  the  expedition 
resulted  as  it  did. 

The  9th  of  September,  the  Cahawba  sailed  towards 
the  South- West  Pass,  against  a  strong  head  wind,  and  a 
heavy  sea.  At  8  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  10th,  she 
sighted  the  light  at  the  mouth  of  the  river.  That  night 
she  laid  outside  the  bar,  rolling  on  the  heavy  waves. 

Early  the  next  morning  a  pilot  came  alongside,  and 
conducted  the  steamer  into  the  river,  where  she  anchored 
to  await  the  arrival  of  the  other  vessels  of  the  fleet.  As 
they  came  across  the  bar,  what  a  sorry  plight  some  of 
them,  particularly  the  river  boats,  presented.  The  Laurel 
Hill  had  lost  both  of  her  tall  pipes,  and  smoke  was  issu 
ing  from  her  decks,  covering  her  upper  works  with  a 
coating  of  soot.  Several  of  the  boats  had  their  sides 
stove  in  by  the  waves.  All  these  flimsy  vessels  had 
thrown  overboard  their  valuable  cargoes  of  horses,  mules 
and  cannon.  Some  of  the  most  serviceable  artillery  of 
the  army,  including  some  thirty  pound  Parrott  guns  of 
the  Twenty-First  Indiana  Battery,  were  thus  lost. 

At  8  o'clock,  the  Cahawba  moved  up  the  river  gome 
twelve  miles,  to  the  head  of  the  Delta,  where  the  Pass  a 
Loutre,  South  Pass  and  South- West  Pass  diverge  to  the 
sea,  and  again  cast  anchor.  They  remained  here  but  a 
short  time,  when  orders  came  to  go  to  Algiers.  Up  an 
chor,  and  away  they  went,  ploughing  against  the  swift 
current.  The  transport  General  Banks  was  alongside 
the  Cahawba^  and  an  exciting  race  began  between  these 
two  vessels.  For  some  time  it  seemed  to  be  a  doubtful 
contest.  The  men  on  the  Cahawba  wished  a  thousand 
times  that  their  vessel  had  the  use  of  both  her  wheels. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMINT.  261 

But  at  length  the  Cahawba  gained  the  advantage  of  her 
competitor,  and  slowly  passed  by,  amid  the  clapping  of 
hands  and  cheers  upon  the  one  side ;  to  the  discomfort  of 
the  General  Banks'  men  upon  the  other. 

In  half  an  hour  the  Cahawba  was  out  of  sight  of  the 
rest  of  the  fleet.  She  was  not  compelled  to  stop  at  Fort 
Jackson,  neither  was  she  halted  at  Quarantine,  though 
there  were  upwards  of  a  hundred  fever  patients  on  board*. 
Inasmuch  as  all  the  sick  of  the  command,  only  a  week 
before,  had  been  carefully  selected  by  the  doctors,  and 
sent  to  hospitals  at  New  Orleans,  an  alarming  amount  of 
disease  had  been  engendered.  The  Pne  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  lost  but  one  man  upon  the  passage — Lyman 
S.  D unbar,  of  Company  D.  He  died  of  ship  fever,  and 
was  buried  at  sea,  leaving  a  wife  and  seven  dependent 
children. 

Before  sundown  the  swift  Cahaioba  came  up  with,  and 
passed  the  mail  steamship  George  Washington,  upon  the 
deck  of  which  were  seen  the  familiar  faces  of  Lieutenant 
Pellet  and  Captain  Fitts,  returning  from  New  York. 

Near  midnight,  the  Cahawba  tied  up  to  the  dock  at 
Algiers?.  While  the  sick  were  being  conveyed  to  hospi 
tals,  the  well  of  the  Regiment  disembarked  and  marched 
to  its  old  camp  below  the  town.  By  daylight,  a  city  of 
shelter  tents  had  sprung  up  on  the  lately  vacant  fields. 

This  was  i\\Q  finale  of  the  "  Sabine  Pass  Expedition." 
Its  results  can  be  summed  -up  in  the  words  of  an  old 
couplet,  slightly  altered : 

General  Framklin,  with  ten  thousand  men, 
Went  out  to  sea,  and  then  came  back  again. 

While  rebellious  citizens  quietly  laughed  over  the 
"  grand  fizzle,"  our  men  said  nothing,  but  experienced 

17 


262  RJCCOBD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDKKO 

iome  sad  reflections.  It  is  apparent  that  the  enemy 
achieved  a  signal  success,  with  but  little  effort  on  hw 
own  part. 

Rebel  official  reports  state  that  the  little  earthwork  at 
Sabine  Pass  mounted  but  three  guns  of  small  calibre, 
supported  by  about  two  hundred  men.  With  such  a 
disparity  of  forces,  the  Army  of  the  Gulf  was  defeated. 
Whether  the  affair  was  creditable,  or  not,  let  the  reader 
judge. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  2ftS 


CHAPTER    XXV. 

m 

Beyond  the  river  we  '11  encamp  ourselves ; 
And  on  to-morrow  bid  them  march  away. 

ElKCr  B.HNBY  V. 

t 

For  two  days  tl^  Regimen*  lay  at  Algiers.  To  pass 
away  the  time,  many  of  the  men  obtained  permission  to 
vfsit  the  town.  A  quiet,  easy-going  place  is  Algiers, 
without  any  particular  feature  to  distinguish  it  from  oth 
er  southern  towns,  except,  perhaps,  the  iron  works  and 
the  rail  road  depot.  There  can  be  found  a  few  fine 
residences  standing  back  from  the  streets,  and  embowered 
in  shady  groves  of  hawthorns,  magnolias,  olive  and  fig 
trees,  perfumed  with  the  odor  of  many  flowers.  The 
largest  part  of  the  town  is  composed  of  small  and  even 
squalid  houses,  and  inhabited  by  a  laboring  class  of 
people.  There  are  a  few  shops  and  stores  on  the  main 
street,  but  New  Orleans,  across  the  river,  monopolizes 
nearly  all  their  local  trade.  Several  lines  of  ferry  boats 
are  constantly  plying  between  the  two  places,  making  a 
passage  so  quick  and  cheap  that  the  denizens  of  Algiers 
prefer  to  do  their  shopping  in  the  great  mart  of  New 
Orleans. 

The  afternoon  of  Friday,  the  15th,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  received  orders  to  move  immediately  to 
the  depot,  to  take  the  cars  for  Brashear  City.  The  an 
nouncement  was  received  with  considerable  merriment 
by  the  men,  calling  forth  remarks  like  these  : 

"  I  say,  Jim,  they  knew  we  were  getting  homesick, 
'cause  we  hav'nt  been  in  Brashear  City  for  over  a  week." 


254  KICORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUKDKED 

"  Well,  I  just  believe  that  Brashear  City  is  the  centre 
of  gravity  of  this  Department.  If  we  get  away  from  it 

a  little  ways,  why  the  whole  d d  concern  has  lost  its 

balance." 

"  I'll  tell  you  what  my"t>pinion  is  about  this  movement. 
You  see  those  musquitoes  up  in  Brashear  City  are  mighty 
hungry,  and  may  rebel  against  the  government,  so  we 
are  going  up  to  satiate  their  thirst  for  blood,  and  kind  'er 
conciliate  'em,  don't  you  see  ?"  • 

At  4  o'clock,  the  densely  packed  train  moved  out  from 
the  station.  In  a  short  time  it  emerged  from  cultivated 
fields  to  vast  everglades  covered  .with  several  inches  of 
water,  from  which  wild  rice  was  growing  in  thick  profu 
sion.  From  thence  it  entered  gloomy  swamps,  dark  with 
gigantic  cypress,  whose  limbs  were  laden  with  heavy 
festoons  of  Spanish  moss.  When  darkness  came  on,  the 
men  lit  their  pipes,  and  attempted  to  pass  away  the 
weary  hours  of  travel,  by  chatting  and  "  coming  jokes." 
At  midnight,  the  engine  whistled  for  the  last  time,  and 
entered  the  "City"  of  Brashear.  All  around  the  town 
the  glowing  camp  fires  indicated  the  presence  of  a  larger 
force  than  when  the  Regiment  left  the  place  a  little  more 
than  a  week  before. 

The  western  boys  of  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps,  were 
lying  here  in  camp.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
was  assigned  a  different  camp  ground  from  any  it  had 
previously  occupied,  being  a  ploughed  field  at  the  south 
of  the  rail  road.  They  remained  here  scarcely  forty- 
eight  hours,  tormented  day  and  night  with  musquitoes, 
and  suffering  for  the  want  of  wholesome  water.  Berwick 
Bay  was  the  only  fountain  of  supply  in  this  respect,  and 
that  was  nearly  as  salty  as  the  sea,  especially  when  the 
tide  was  in. 


FOURTEENTH  RBGIMKMT.  256 

Brasliear  City  was  fast  assuming  its  former  activity 
and  vigor.  Troops  were  continually  arriving  and  going 
into  camp,  while  the  rail  road  men  were  taxed  to  their 
utmost  in  transporting  such  an  army  with  its  supplies 
and  material.  The  ware-houses  and  depot  were  being 
rapidly  filled  with  an  immense  store  of  provisions.  Gun 
boats  and  transports  once  more  enlivened  the  waters  of 
the  bay.  The  forts  were  being  repaired  and  re-mounted. 
Everywhere  there  was  presented  a  scene  like 

"  One  of  the  olden  time." 

An  overland  campaign  into  Texas  was  evidently  being 
prepared. 

On  the  morning  of  September  17th,  the  army  com 
menced  to  move  across  the  bay.  The  men  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  at  an  early  hour  pulled  down 
their  shelters,  packed  their  bundles,  and  marched  upon 
the  decks  of  the  steamer  Thomas.  Landing  on  the  Ber 
wick  side  of  the  bay,  another  camp  was  quickly  estab 
lished  on  a  grassy  plot,  while  Companies  A,  B,  and  D 
went  out  in  advance  to  do  picket  duty.  The  Regiment 
remained  in  this  camp  three  days,  and  all  the  while  the 
steamers  were  busy  in  crossing  the  army. 

The  western  men  were  strangers  in  this  army,  and  at 
tracted  considerable  attention  from  their  peculiar  habits 
in  camp,  and  singular  style  of  doing  duty.  They  were, 
evidently,  excellent  fighting  men,  and  some  of  them 
were  very  proficient  in  drill ;  but  they  had  a  wonderful 
disregard  of  personal  appearance,  wearing-  all  manner  of 
dirty  and  outlandish  costumes.  They  also  took  a  special 
delight  in  destroying  every  species  of  rebel  property  that 
came  within  their  reach,  whether  serviceable  to  them  or 
not,  much  to  the  horror  of  General  Franklin,  who  was 


<  BECOBD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

• 

Opposed  to  such  a  method  of  subduing  the  rebellion. 
While  the  members  of  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps  un 
der  the  command  of  General  Franklin,  were  forbidden  to 
help  themselves  to  even  a  sweet  potato,  or  a  single  garden 
vegetable,  without  incurring  the  strictest  penalties,  they 
were  compelled  to  see  their  neighbors  of  the  Thirteenth 
Corps  living  upon  every  luxury  that  the  country  afforded. 
These  orders  of  General  Franklin  were  very  galling  to 
our  men,  and  they  availed  themselves  of  every  ingenious 
device  to  evade  obedience  to  them.  In  this  way  the  new 
commander,  from  the  start,  became  ffcpopular  with  his 
men,  and  failed  in  the  execution  of  some  of  his  orders, 
for  however  terrible  the  punishment,  the  men  would 
u  gobble "  vegetables,  pigs  and  chickens,  to  stay  their 
appetite  for  fresh  food. 

The  western  men  were  inveterate  gamblers,  a  vice  to 
which  the  men  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  were  much  less 
addicted.  They  were,  likewise,  arrant  braggarts,  contin 
ually  dilating  upon  their  wonderful  achievements,  and 
forever  depreciating  the  laudable  efforts  of  others.  They 
eaid  that  they  had  "  come  down  from  Vicksburg 
for  the  purpose  of  showing  these  paper  collar  and  white 
glove  gents  (meaning  the  Nineteenth  Corps)  how  to 
fight."  They  only  wanted  "  the  wooden  nutmeg  fellers  " 
to  keep  out  of  their  way,  and  they  would  "  finish  rebellion 
in  the  Gulf  Department  in  short  order."  Such  remarks, 
and  others  still  more  invidious,  wrought  an  ill  state  of 
feeling  between  the  Corps,  which  often  resulted  in  fisti 
cuff  fights.  But  when  the  western  men  referred  to  Gen 
eral  Franklin  as  an  "  old  Potomac  fossil,  coming  south 
to  put  on  regular  army  airs,"  no  one  seemed  to  take  any 
offense.  After  a  while,  our  boys  learned  to  keep  away 
from  their  boasting  neighbors,  and  not  listen  to  their 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIME]»T.  257 

taunts.  They  patiently  awaited  the  coming  of  that  day 
when  the  minds  of  their  western  comrades  would  be  din- 
abused  of  such  sentiments,  and  their  statements  dis 
proved.  In  two  subsequent  battles,  when  the  Nineteenth 
Corps  saved  the  Thirteenth,  in  one  instance  from  total 
annihilation,  this  feud  was  perfectly  healed,  and  they 
were  ever  after  good  friends. 

After  remaining  in  Berwick  three  days,  it  was  found 
necessary  to  move  the  command  up  the  river,  not  only  to 
make  room  for  the  constantly  arriving  troops,  but  to  give 
the  army  a  supply  of  better  water. 

At  1  o'clock  of  the  20th,  the  .Regiment  stalled  off, 
leading  the  Brigade.  Marching  five^niles  over  the  old 
familiar  road  up  the  Teche,  they  went  into  camp  upon  a 
cane  field.  Leveling  the  ridges  a  ad  clearing  away  the 
rank  weeds,  the  camp  ground  at  last  assumed  a  respecta 
ble  appearance.  The  water  from  the  Atchafalaya  river 
was  scarcely  better  than  that  from  the  bay,  and  could  be 
drank  only  when  steeped  with  coffee.  Here  for  five  daye 
the  Regiment  lay  quiet,  with  but  little  else  to  do  than 
their  regular  picket  duty. 

At  sunrise  on  the  26th,  the  Brigade  started  for  a  better 
carnp,  with  better  water,  up  the  Teche,  passing  through 
the  well  known  village  of  Pattersonville,  and  over  the 
memorable  battle  ground  of  Bisland.  After  a  fatiguing 
march  of  nine  miles,  and  then  rambling  around  for  some 
time  through  tall  and  thick  weeds,  to  find  a  suitable 
camp,  the  Regiment  finally  rested  upon  the  most  rugged 
specimen  of  a  ploughed  cane  field.  Here  the  men  put  up 
their  shelters  between  the  cane  ridges,  obtaining  bits  of 
boards,  or  fence  rails  to  lie  upon  at  night.  The  water  of 
the  Teche  was  considerably  improved,  in  not  being  a* 
brackish,  but  it  was  thick  and  green  with  vegetable  mat 
ter.  For  a  week  of  rainy  weather,  they  wallowed  over 


258  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

the  muddy  camp  ground,  heartily  wishing  to  be  moved 
to  some  more  congenial  spot. 

At  length  everything  seemed  to  be  ready  for  the  Tex 
as  campaign.  General  Franklin,  having  issued  stringent 
orders  concerning  the  conduct  of  the  troops  on  the 
march,  directed  that  the  column  move  by  daylight  on  the 
3d  of  October.  At  the  appointed  time,  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  was  trudging  along  the  well  beaten  track 
at  the  head  of  the  Brigade.  Every  house  was  familiar 
to  our  men ;  they  were  acquainted  with  many  of  the  citi 
zens  ;  they  could  tell  the  distance  from  place  to  place, 
and  in  fact  knew  as  much  of  the  Teche  country  as  they 
did  of  their  own  townships.  At  noon  they  marched 
through  Franklin,  The  town,  it  will  be  remembered,  our 
boys  threatened  to  burn  four  months  before.  They  had 
not  forgotten  the  cowardly  and  wanton  attack  that  had 
been  made  upon  them  at  this  place,  and  as  they  passed 
along,  they  made  all  manner  of  hateful  remarks  to  the 
citizens  who  stood  upon  the  sidewalks,  gazing  at  another 
advent  of  the  Yankee  army.  One  mile  beyond  the  vil 
lage,  they  camped  upon .  the  same  ground  they  had 
occupied  when  they  first  entered  this  country. 

The  next  day,  after  traveling  over  rutty  and  muddy 
roads,  and  taking  a  wide  circuit  around  Indian  Bend 
prairie,  to  avoid  the  marshes,  they  stopped  for  the  night 
upon  the  identical  plantation  where  they  had  once  been 
deprived  of  the  privilege  of  riding,  in  having  their  ani 
mals  seized  by  General  Banks. 

The  day  following,  they  inarched  twelve  miles,  and 
camped  opposite  the  wreck  of  the  rebel  gunboat  Hart, 
which  yet  filled  up  the  channel  of  the  Teche.  For  two 
days  the  army  remained  in  camp,  everything  all  quiet, 
except  a  little  cavalry  skirmish  beyond  New  Iberia. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th,  the  Regiment  was  detailed 


A.ICD  FOUKTKENTH  KEG1MKMT.  25ft 

for  picket,  relieving  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-First 
New  York.  Distributed  along  a  line  of  over  a  mile,  the 
men  were  kept  awake  and  alert  through  the  darkness  and 
stillness  of  the  night,  to  guard  against  a  surprise  of  the 
enemy's  cavalry,  who  were  known  to  be  near. 

"  The  hum  of  either  army  stilly  sounds, 
That  the  fixed  sentinels  almost  receive 
The  secret  -whispers  of  each  other's  watch." 

Remaining  on  duty  for  twenty-four  hours,  it  was  re 
lieved  by  the  Eighth  Vermont,  and  returned  to  camp  to 
rest  and  be  ready  for  the  next  day's  march. 

When  the  sun  rose  in  the  morning  of  October  8th,  it 
found  .the  men.  tramping  through  the  village  of  New 
Iberia.  During  a  hot  and  oppressive  day,  they  toiled  on 
for  sixteen  miles,  and  camped  in  the  afternoon  upon  the 
prairie.  That  night,  men  and  horses  suffered  alike  for 
water.  After  searching  for  miles  over  the  plain,  but 
littj.e  could  be  found,  except  what  could  be  dipped  from 
sink  holes  nearly  dry. 

Every  one  now  believed  that  the  following  day  would 
witness  a  severe  battle  at  Vermilion  Bayou,  five  miles 
ahead,  for  it  was  universally  known  among  the  rank  and 
file,  that  since  the  evacuation  of  this  country  in  the 
spring,  the  enemy  had  concentrated  a  large  force  upon 
the  northern  bank,  where  he  had  constructed  heavy  earth 
works. 

Morning  came,  and  the  column  moved  on.  Approach 
ing  the  bayou,  the  rattling  of  musketry  became  more 
distinct,  showing  that  the  cavalry  were  having  a  busy 
time  of  it.  Weitzel's  Brigade  was  soon  halted  in  a  hol 
low  of  the  prairie,  while  other  troops  were  making  a 
wide  detour  to  flank  the  enemy.  All  day  they  awaited 
the  order  to  attack.  Finally  at  5  o'clock,  when  the 


260  JRECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRKD 

heavy  artillery  had  got  into  position,  and  were  pounding 
away  with  energy,  our  men  were  ordered  up,  and  rapidly 
marched  towards  the  crossing  of  the  bayou.  They  ar 
rived  at  the  burning  bridge  just  in  time  to  see  the 
terrified  rebels  hastening  off  at  great  speed,  while  the 
blue-coated  cavalry  were  fording  the  stream  and  gallop 
ing  after  the  scattering  foe.  So  the  prospect  of  a  battle 
vanished,  and  the  men  had  nothing  to  do  but  to  put  up 
their  shelters  by  the  cool  running  water  of  the  bayou. 

During  the  day,  a  supply  train  had  arrived  from  down 
the  Teche,  accompanying  which  were  General  Banks 
and  Paymaster  Alton.  The  General,  after  remaining  a 
few  hours,  returned  to  New  Orleans,  but  the  Major  staid 
to  pay  off  the  troops. 

Instantly,  doors,  boxes  and  boards  were  seized  upon 
from  among  neighboring  plantations,  and  brought  into 
requisition  as  tables  upon  which  to  sign  the  pay  rolls. 
Before  sundown  the  rolls  were  all  signed,  so  that  early 
the  next  morning  the  Paymaster  was  not  delayed  when 
he  delivered  out  the  welcome  greenbacks. 

At  10  o'clock,  the  payment  of  the  Regiment  was  near 
ly  completed,  when  it  was  announced  that  a  new  bridge 
over  the  bayou  was  finished  and  the  army  was  ordered 
to  move  forward.  Some  of  the  men,  in  consequence, 
were  obliged  to  defer  the  enjoyment  of  replenishing  their 
attenuated  pocket  books,  that  looked,  as  one  young  man 
told  the  Paymaster,  "  as  though  an  elephant  had  stomped 
on  'em."  Two  miles  will  embrace  the  whole  distance 
traveled  that  day,  when  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
formed  a  long  picket  line  in  front  of  the  army.  That 
night,  when  many  of  the  men  were  away  from  the  scru 
tinizing  eyes  of  the  officers,  the  planters  in  that  neighbor 
hood  lost  immense  quantities  of  what  soldiers  regard  a& 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMBNT.  261 

legitimate  spoils,  viz.,  pigs,  chickens,  potatoes  and  sugar. 
Wherever  a  pile  of  feathers,  potato  parings  or  offal  could 
be  discovered  near  a  picket  post  in  the  morning, 
inquiries  were  ihdfepitly  made  to  find  the  perpetrator, 
but,  mirdbile  dictu,  every  one  clearly  proved  himself  in 
nocent.  The  mystery  could  never  be  accounted  for.  Yet 
it  was  very  suspicious  that  so  many  men  carried  plethoric 
haversacks  the  next  day.  Army  rations,  probably  ! 

On  the  llth,  the  army  pushed  on  thirteen  miles,  and 
encamped  in  a  hollow  formed  by  the  flow  of  a  dirty 
little  brook,  dignified  by  the  name  of  bayou,  and  prefixed 
with  the  appropriate  and  classic  name  of  Carrioncrow* 
Here  General  Franklin  ordered  five  days'  rest  to  the 
army.  For  two  days  everything  went  along  with  more 
than  usual  quiet.  On  the  third,  the  morning  opened  with 
a  brisk  skirmish  on  the  picke*  line.  Soon,  the  First 
Division  was  drawn  up  in  line,  concealed  by  a  rise  of 
ground.  It  waited  for  hours  the  attack  of  the  enemy, 
but  he  did  not  come,  although  he  drove  in  our  pickets  for 
some  distance.  This  movement  proved  to  be  only  a  feint, 
for  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  some  five  miles  in  the  rear, 
on  the  prairie,  received  the  real  attack,  and  repulsed  it. 

In  front  of  part  of  Weitzel's  Brigade  was  a  large  corn 
field,  among  the  thick  and  tall  stalks  of  which  rebel 
"Bushwhackers  had  concealed  themselves.  The  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth  was  ordered  to  level  this  field. 
Forming  a  line  of  battle  on  the  edge,  it  moved  forward, 
each  man  pushing  over  the  corn  stalks  with  his  feet. 
Like  an  immense  mowing  machine,  it  moved  backward 
and  forward,  until  the  large  crop  of  corn  was  lying  flat 
upon  the  ground. 

In  the  afternoon,  Major  Alton  paid  the  balance  of  the 
Regiment. 


2<J2  RECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  rebels  were  still  anxious  to  bring  about  a  contest. 
On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  the  enemy  opened  a  sharp 
attack  along  the  whole  front  of  the  picket  line.  This 
time  they  brought  up  their  artillery  ,^nd  commenced  a 
vigorous  shelling.  The  First  Division  was  ordered  to 
the  front,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  being  left 
back  to  guard  the  camps.  It  was  evident  the  enemy  had 
counted  on  inferior  numbers  on  our  side,  for  when  battery 
after  battery  came  up,  and  went  to  hurling  shot  and  shell 
- — when  line  after  line  of  blue-coats  were  formed  across 
the  prairie,  and  still  more  coming — the  astonished  John 
nies  beat  a  precipitate  retreat.  They  never  more  annoyed 
the  army  at  that  place. 

For  nine  days  the  troops  remained  in  camp  at  Carrion- 
crow  Bayou.  It  seemed  as  though  the  Texas  campaign 
had  became  very  infirm?  and  creeping  along  for  a  little 
time,  with  slow  and  tottering  pace,  had  now  nearly  reached 
the  end  of  its  existence.  This  problem  was  frequently 
propounded :  "  If  the  army  moves  thirty-five  miles  in 
two  weeks,  how  long  will  it  take  to  march  to  Niblett's 
Bluff,  on  the  Texan  border  ?  "  It  is  enough  to  say  that 
the  question  was  never  put  to  a  practical  test. 

At  length,  on  the  morning  of  October  21st,  the  army 
commenced  its  forward  movement.  Marching  a  few 
miles,  the  men  passed  the  wagon  train  of  the  Thirteenth 
Army  Corps,  then  at  halt.  This  train  was  a  curiosity  in 
Its  way.  The  wagons  were  loaded  to  the  bows  with 
everything  one  could  mention,  from  a  coffee-mill  to  a 
darkey  bab'y.  Their  live  stock  was  equally  varied. 
Dogs,  cows,  goats,  Shetland  ponies,  roosters,  and  a  tanie 
bear,  embraced  a  part  of  the  collection.  It  almost  equal 
ed  the  sight  Noah  must  have  produced  when  he  opened 
the  doors  of  his  ark 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  263" 

In  that  wonderful  procession  an  immense  iron  oven,, 
drawn  by  two  horses,  attracted  a  great  deal  of  attention* 
The  driver  of  this  establishment  was  continually  bored 
with  the  question,  "What  is  that  masheen  for?"  He 
had  a  new  answer  for  every  interrogator.  To  one,  he 
said  it  was  a  magazine ;  to  another,  a  cell  for  prisoners ; 
to  another,  still,  a  portable  steam  gun.  But  he  exceeded 
the  range  of  credibility  when  he  avowed  the  concern  to 
be  a  bullet  mould,  or  a  piece  of  stove  pipe. 

As  the  column  moved  by,  a  good  deal  of  humorous 
badinage  passed. between  our  boys  and  the  western  men. 
Some  one  in  the  ranks  observing  a  pet  goose  enclosed  in 
a  cage,  which  was  hung  behind  a  wagon,  asked  a  by 
stander,  "Where  did  that  goose  come  from?"  The 
reply  was,  "  Deserted  from  the  Nineteenth  Corps," 
Quick  and  pointed  came  the  retort,  "Birds  of  a  feather 
flock  together." 

At  another  place,  some  men  standing  near  the  carcass 
of  a  dead  mule,  called  out:  "Here,  you  eastern  chaps, 
come  and  nil  your  haversacks  with  fresh  meat."  "  No?" 
Baid  a  young  man,  hitching  his  gun  upon  his  shoulder, 
"  we  ain't  selfish  ;  we'll  wait  till  you  have  finished  your 
meal." 

"  Say,"  spoke  one  of  our  boys  to  a  teamster,  "  you  hare- 
most  every  kind  of  calamity  in  your  wagon."  "  No," 
said  he,  "  I  hav  'nt  got  any  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps 
along  with  me." 

This  bantering  only  ceased  when  the  men  were  out  of 
hearing  of  the  train. 

A  short  distance  further  on,  the  cause  of  the  detention 
of  the  train  was  discovered.  The  Thirteenth  Corps  had 
just  finished  a  charge  on  the  enemy  as  the  Nineteenth 
came  along.  A  large  force  of  the  rebel  cavalry,  under 


264  RECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBBD 

General  Green,  had  formed  across  the  plain  upon  the  edge 
of  a  piece  of  wood,  to  dispute  the  advance  of  the  army. 
The  Thirteenth  Corps  immediately  formed  into  line  and 
made  a  charge,  when  the  enemy,  not  waiting  to  receive 
it,  turned  and  fled.  The  loss  was"  trifling  on  either  side. 
Eight  rebels  were  left  dead  on  the  field.  The  Confederate 
army  in  this  section  appeared  to  have  become  demoralized, 
and  able  to  make  only  a  show  of  resistance. 

Shortly.,  the  men  passed  the  familiar  old  camp  at  Pratt's 
Plantation,  and  soon  arrived  at  Opelousas.  Before  enter 
ing  the  town,  the  column  turned  off  to  the  right,  and 
marched  towards  Barre's  Landing.  Proceeding  five  miles 
further,  and  eighteen  from  Carrioncrow  Bayou,  the  army 
went  into  camp  along  a  small  stream  called  Bayou 
B-a-r-r-i-a-c-o-q-u-a-n-t. 

" Phoebus,  what  a  name, 

To  fill  the  speaking-trump  of  future  fame ! " 

That  night  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  went  on 
picket.  The  following  morning  it  set  up  camp  upon  a 
level  and  muddy  field,  where  it  remained  for  ten  days. 
During  that  time,  "  all  was  quiet  on  the  Barriacoquant," 
except  that  the  cavalry  was  scouring  the  country,  having 
frequent  skirmishes  with  guerrilla  bands,  and  taking 
prisoners  every  day.  At  one  time,  four  hundred  cadaver 
ous,  sallow,  long-haired,  sullen-looking  Johnnies,  were 
marched  into  camp  under  guard. 

The  camps,  at  this  time,  were  crowded  with  runaway 
negroes.  It  seemed  as  though  the  resources  of  the  coun 
try,  in  this  respect,  were  inexhaustible.  Wherever  the 
army  went,  contrabands  swarmed  around  the  camps, 
until  the  authorities  were  compelled  to  institute  a  periodi 
cal  clearing  out.  Tkey  were  omnipresent.  By  day  they 
were  stalking  through  the  company  streets,  with  pans 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  265 

of  molasses  candy  for  sale.  The  nights  were  made  hide 
ous  by  their  dances  and  prayer  meetings,  disturbing  the 
sleep  of  the  men. 

On  the  evening  of  the  2  7th  of  October,  General  Weitzel 
sent  out  invitations  to  all  the  officers  of  his  Brigade  to 
visit  him  at  his  Head-quarters,  and  assist  in  celebrating 
the  anniversary  of  the  battle  of  Labadieville — his  first 
engagement.  Of  course,  every  one  went  that  could  be 
spared  from  duty.  Beneath  a  clump  of  grand  old  oaks, 
whose  varnished  leaves  and  pendent  ^oss  were  lit  up  by 
a  huge  fire,  the  General  stood  in  front  of  his  tent  and 
received  his  guests.  The  evening  passed  pleasantly, 
between  eating,  speechifying  and  toasts.  Certain  bibulous 
fluids  were  also  circulated,  and  a  few  did  not  their 
"  spiriting  gently."  A  couple  of  brass  bands  added  to 
the  eclat  of  the  occasion.  In  "the  wee  small  hours "  the 
party  broke  up,  and  scattered  off  to  the  different  camps. 
This  little  event  was  a  bright  and  refreshing  oasis  in  the 
midst  of  a  barren  desert  of  monotonous  and  arduous  life. 
There  are  but  few  recollections  of  these  times  that  are 
pleasant. 

Continual  rains  conspired  with  the  low  and  marshy 
soil,  to  make  the  camp  at  this  place  the  muddiest  and 
most  intolerable  spot  the  boys  had  ever  before  experi 
enced.  About  every  other  day  the  Regiment  was 
ordered  out  on  picket,  when  a  sleepless  and  stormy 
night  would  contribute  to  the  general  discomfort.  The 
rations,  too,  were  very  scanty  and  unwholesome.  Sweet, 
potatoes,  a  short  time  before  so  abundant  and  so  luscious, 
were  not  to  be  had ;  but  partly  in  lieu  thereof,  the  men 
would  bring  into  camp  from  the  surrounding  forests, 
delicious  persimmons  and  pecan  nuts. 

Everybody  now  knew  that  the  Texas  campaign  had 


266  RECORD  OP  THE  OKB  HUKDEBB 

resulted  in  a  failure.  It  was,  no  doubt,  the  intention  to 
make  Barrel  Landing  the  base  of  supplies,  but  the  low 
stage  of  water  prevented  navigation  to  that  point,  and 
the  wagon  trains  were  absolutely  insufficient  to  supply  an 
army  from  so  great  a  distance  as  New  Iberia.  General 
Franklin  hesitated  sometime  before  he  abandoned  the 
campaign,  hoping  that  the  late  heavy  rains  would  cause  a 
rise  in  Bayou  Courtableau.  But  he  was  deceived,  for  he 
knew  not  the  nature  of  Louisiana  streams,  which  are  not 
aifected  by  rains,  but  rise  and  fall  only  with  the  Missis 
sippi.  It  was  not  the  season  for  a  freshet ;  so  at  last  he 
was  compelled  to  issue  the  order  to  "  fall  back." 


ANJE)  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  267 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

The  winter  coming  on,  and  sickness  growing 

Upon  our  soldiers,— we  '11  retire. 

KING  HENRY  V. 

After  the  command  had  been  mustered,  October  31st, 
the  men  were  ordered  .to  be  ready  to  march  on  the  follow 
ing  morning.  At  the  appointed  time  the  army  com 
menced  to  move.  After  a  weary  day's  march,  the  Regi 
ment  camped  on  its  old  ground  at  Carrioncrow  Bayou. 

On  the  following  day,  continuing  to  fall  back,  the  Nine 
teenth  Corps'  marched  to  Vermilionville,  leaving  the 
Thirteenth  to  follow  behind  in  a  day  or  two.  On  that 
day,  the  2d  of  November,  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  camped  upon  a  grassy  lawn  near  the  elegant 
residence  of  Governor  Mouton.  It  was  on  the  same 
plantation  that  the  Regiment  had  done  picket  duty  on  its 
advance  "  up  the  country."  The  morning  after  its  arrival, 
it  was  ordered  to  do  duty  upon  the  same  line,  the  men  be 
ing  stationed  upon  the  same  old  posts.  This  is  but  one 
instance  of  the  uncertainty  of  military  life.  A  little  over 
three  weeks  before,  when  the  men  halted  here  for  a  night, 
in  their  advance  to  Texas,  they  little  thought  that  in  so 
short  a  time  they  would  be  doing  duty  again  upon  this 
identical  spot.  Such  events  impress  a'soldier  with  the 
idea  that  it  is  folly  for  him  to  predict  the  future.  His 
mind  soon  partakes  of  the  habit  of  reflecting  only  upon 
the  past  and  present,  totally  regardless  of  what  is  to 
come,  believing  that 

"  There's  a  divinity  that  shapes  our  ends> 
Rough-hew  them  how  we  will." 

18 


268  RECORD  OK  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

When  darkness  came,  our  watchful  sentinels  could  not 
help  but  observe  and  remark  upon  the  wonderful  activity 
of  the  signal  lights,  which  were  flashing  to  and  fro  upon 
the  spire  of  the  Catholic  Church  in  the  village.  All 
agreed  that  there  was  "  something  up,"  or  "  something  in 
the  wind."  They  were  correct  in  their  surmises,  for  at 
1  o'clock  the  pickets  were  hastily  called  in,  and  the  Corps 
moved  out  towards  the  inevitable  Carrioncrow  Bayou. 
Here  was  another  curiosity  of  military,  falling  back  one 
day, 'and  advancing  upon  the  same  road  the  next.  It  did 
not  take  long  for  inquisitive  minds  to  learn  the  cause  of 
the  movement. 

•  A  part  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps  had  been  attacked 'the 
evening  before,  by  an  overpowering  force  of  the  enemy, 
and  were  badly  cut  up.  In  anticipation  of  another  attack 
at  daybreak,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  were  hurried  forward 
to  the  assistance  of  the  unfortunate  Thirteenth.  In  .five 
hours,  the  distance  of  fourteen  miles  was  traversed,  so 
that  a  little  after  sunrise  our  men  arrived  at  the  late  scene 
of  conflict.  The  enemy  had  gone,  but  had,  left  behind 
him  evidences  of  the  havoc  «he  had  committed.  The 
buildings  near  the  bayou  were  filled  with  wounded  men, 
among  whom  Surgeons  -were  busy  at  their  bloody  work. 
Rows  of  dead  bodies  were  laid  out  upon  the  grass,  which 
were  being  buried  as  fast  as  graves  could  be  dug.  There 
was  also  a  squad  of  rebel  prisoners. 

It  appears  that  Burbridge's  Brigade  was  encamped 
several  miles  in  advance  of  the  main  body  of  the  Corps, 
at  Bayou  Grand  Coteau.  Upon  this  unprotected  Brigade 
the  rebels  vented  their  fury.  Suddenly  riding  upon 
them,  in  all  directions,  our  troops  had  not  time  to  form 
before  the  enemy  was  in  their  camps.  Alter  a  short  and 
desultory  contest,  a  part  of  the  Brigade  made  its  escape. 


-•    .'I--'-  •  ;•*•••  ' 

AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMKNT.  269 


leaving  one  hundred  and  fifty  dead  and  wounded  upon 
the  field,  losing  all  their  camp  and  garrison  equipage,  and 
five  hundred  men  taken  prisoners.  The  enemy  then  fell 
back,  one  hundred  dead  being  left  behind^  ;hrm.  That 
day,  the  4th  of  November,  was  employed  in  making  a 
proper  disposition  of  the  killed  and  wounded. 

At  6  A.  M.  of  the  next  day,  both  Corps  took  up  a  line 
of  march  for  Vermilionville,  and  at  2  p.  M.  arrived  at 
their  old  camp.  Owing  to  the  fatigue  of  the  past  few 
days,  General  Weitzel  ordered  a  whisky  ration  to  be 
served  to  the  men,  and  they  were  notified  that  they 
would  probably  remain  at  this  place  several  days. 

It  did  not  take  long  for  the  men  to  fit  up  for  them 
selves  comfortable  little  houses,  using  boards  and  rails 
"  confiscated  "  from  barns  and  fences,  for  walls  and  floors, 
and  canvas  for  roofing.  For  ten  days  they  stayed  at 
Vermilionville,  enjoying  the  most  delightful  weather, 
employed  with  light  and  agreeable  duty.  Amusements 
were  the  order  of  the  day,  among  which  was  horse  rac 
ing.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  took  especial 
pride  in  the  fact  that  a  horse  kept  by  Colonel  Per  Lee, 
was  uniformly  the  winner  in  all.  these  contests.  In  this 
respect  they  jocosely  claimed  pre-eminence  over  all  the 
other  Regiments  of  the  army.  In  conversation  with  men 
of  other  commands,  they  would  exultingly  remark: 
"  Well,  you  can  brag  as  much  as  you  are  a  mind  to  ;  our 
Colonel  has  got  a  hoss  that  will  beat  anything  you  can 
rake  or  scrape."  This  wonderful  superiority  was  beyond 
all  dispute. 

All  the  while,  small  bands  of  rebels  were  hovering 
around  the  army,  ready  to  pounce  upon  any  Inferior  force 
which  should  happen  to  be  outside  the  lines.  They  even 
came  into  the  village,  and  fired  upon  our  pickets  from 


270  RECORD  OP  THE  ONK  HUNDRED 

behind  houses.  Twice  the  Regiment  went  out  from 
camp  a  few  miles,  to  guard  a  forage  train,  while  it  could 
be  loaded  with  corn  and  wood,  and  both  times  was 
annoyed  by  guerrillas.  Once  it  returned  without  accom 
plishing  its  object. 

On  the  lltli  of  November,  a  body  of  fifteen  hundred 
cavalry,  with  Nim's  Battery,  started  out  on  a  reconnois- 
ance  towards  Carrioncrow  Bayou.  Proceeding  seven 
miles,  they  came  across  a  large  force  of  the  enemy,  and 
began  to  retreat.  In  the  afternoon  our  men  in  camp  were 
alarmed  by  the  near  approach  of  cannonading  and 
musketry.  The  rebels  even  followed'  the  cavalry  to  the 
outskirts  of  the  town. 

In  anticipation  of  a  general  attack,  a  line  of  •rifle  pits 
was  planned  and  dug  along  the  whole  front  of  the  army. 
Fields*,  roads,  pleasure  grounds  and  gardens,  suifered 
alike  from  the  pick  and  spade.  A  pile  of  fresh  earth  was 
thrown  up  near  the  residence  of  the  old  Governor.  The 
tall,  portly,  dignified  looking  proprietor,  could  only  sit 
out  upon  his  veranda  and  look  upon  the  desolating  scene 
around  him.  His  broad  fields,  lately  covered  with  crops, 
were  trodden  down  by  soldiers ;  his  extensive  out-build 
ings  were  torn  down ;  his  negro  cabins  were  deserted ; 
and  himself  and  family,  including  his  eldest  daughter — 
the  wife  of  the  rebel  General  Gardner — confined  to  his 
house  by  a  guard.  He  who  had  been  President  of  the 
Convention  that  caused  the  secession  of  Louisiana,  and 
one  of  the  wealthiest  men  of  the  state,  was  driven  to 
absolute  want  and  starvation,  as  the  fruits  of  his  own 
treasonable  acts.  He  was  actually  known  to  have 
slipped  by  the  guards,  in  the  dead  of  night,  to  gather  up 
the  ears  of  corn  from  under  the  noses  of  the  cavalry 
"horses,  to  keep  his  family  from  starving  !  Finally,  he 


AtfD  F6UUTEENTH  REGIMENT.  271 

was  compelled  to  conquer  his  pride,  and  appeal  to  the 

nd    contemned    officers    of  the 


"  Bloody  instructions,  which  bein^  taught,  return 
To  plague  the  inventors.". 

An  instance  here  of  the  bitter  and  deep  humiliation  to 
which  these  people  were  subjected,  is  worth  recording. 
Colonel  Dudley,  the  Chief-of-Staff  to  General  Banks,  was 
at  the  commencement  of  the  war  a  Lieutenant  in  the 
regular  army,  under  Captain  Gardner.  When  armed 
rebellion  arose,  and  the  nation  was  endangered,  Captain 
Gardner  deserted  his  Regiment,  which  was  stationed  far 
out  upon  the  western  frontier,  and  went  over  to  the 
insurgents,  leaving  his  family  to  the  care  of  his  brother 
officers.  In  a  long  inarch  across  the  western  plains. 
Lieutenant  Dudley  provided  every  possible  comfort  for 
Mrs.  Gardner  and  her  children,  until  she  could  reach  a 
point  where  she  could  depend  upon  her  own  resources. 
In  the  meantime  it  had  been  learned  that  Captain  Gard 
ner  had  been  commissioned  a  Major  General  in  the  rebel 
army.  This  information  was  a  source  of  great  delight  to 
Mrs.  Gardner,  and  notwithstanding  the  kindness  of 
Lieutenant  Dudley,  and  in  spite  of  his  earnest  protesta 
tions,  she  persisted  in  expressing  the  most  disloyal 
sentiments,  and  sought,  in  every  way,  to  insult  the  cause 
which  he  represented,  and  the  flag  which  he  loved  and 
served.  Having  reached  a  place  of  safety,  he  parted 
with  the  ungrateful  woman,  and  she  returned  to  her 
father's  house  at  Vermilion  ville. 

While  our  army  was  lying  at  this  place,  Mrs.  Gardner 
secured  a  permit  ;to  go  to  the  Head-quarters  of  the  Com 
manding  General.  Colonel  Dudley  was  ftusy  writing  in 


272  RECORD  OF  THJS  OKK  HUNDKKD 

his  office,  when  a  lady,  draped  in  deep  mourning  and 
veiled,  presented  herself  and  inquired  for  General  Banks. 
The  Colonel  polite.lv  nflfpiWl  w-  -H-snoti  -w,-*  nappy"  to  do 
anything  for  her  that  was  consistent  with  his  duty. 

"  Whom  have  I  the  honor  of  addressing  ?"  she  asked. 

"  Colonel  Dudley,  madam." 

"  Is  this  Lieutenant  Dudley,  of  the  Tenth  Infantry  ?" 

"  The  same,  madam." 

She  hid  her  face  in  her  hands,  and  commenced  to  sob 
bitterly.  The  Colonel  attempted  to  allay  her  feelings, 
and  ascertain  the  cause  of  her  distress.  At  length  she 
succeeded  in  saying  : 

"  O  !  Lieutenant,  has  it  come  to  this  ?  Must  I  ask  a 
favor  of  you  ?  I  am  Mrs.  Gardner,  and  I  have  come  to 
beg  some  food  for  my  starving  children  !" 

That  day  a  wagon  load  of  provisions  was  unloaded  at 
her  .house. 

The  pleasant  camp  at  Vermilionville  was  at  length 
broken  up.  On  the  morning  of  November  16th,  the  men 
were  compelled  to  abandon  their  neat  little  houses,  and 
march  towards  New  Iberia.  Arriving  in  the  evening  at 
Camp  Pratt,  (an  old  rebel  camp  of  instruction,)  they 
rested  upon  the  banks  of  Lake  Tasse.  This  beautiful 
sheet  of  water  gave  them  a  fine  opportunity  to  bathe 
themselves,  and  wash  their  clothes.  Passing  over  this 
road  so  many  times  before,  they  had  never  imagined  that 
a  body  of  water  four  miles  long  and  two  miles  wide,  lay 
here  nestled  among  the  swells  of  the  prairie. 

This  attractive  spot  was  next  day  left  behind.  March 
ing  through  New  Iberia  about  9  o'clock  in  the  morning 
of  the  1 7th,  the  army  camped  two  miles*  from  the  town, 
upon  the  same  ground  it  had  occupied  in  its  last  move- 


AJSfJ)  FOURTEENTH  UBtrlMJUS'T.  278 

ment  up  the  Teche.  The  following  day  our  Brigade 
moved  to  the  rear  of  the  army,  and  camped  upon  a  more 
inviting  and  convenient  spot.  It  was  understood  that 
here  was  to  be  the  winter  quarters  of  the  army,  and 
accordingly  every  one  went  busily  to  work  to  make  for 
himself  as  cozy  a  house  as  his  means  would  admit.  There 
was  a  great  struggle  for  even  the  smallest  bits  of  boards. 
One  sugar  mill  was  completely  demolished,  to  obtain 
brick  to  make  chimneys  for  the  little  houses.  Fire  places 
became  necessary,  by  reason  of  the  "nor- westers"  which 
at  this  season  of  the  year  frequently  came  sweeping 
across  the  plains,  sending  a  chill  through  the  frames  of 
our  soldiers,  enervated  by  the  extreme  heat  of  summer. 

In  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time,  a  town  of  rustic 
buildings  was  erected  upon  the  biU-ly  vacant  ground, 
and  hundreds  of  diminutive  chimneys  of  the  Anti-Mason 
ic  order  peeped  up  from  the  ranges  of  huts. 

On  the  20th  of  November,  the  long  expected  and 
much  dreaded  inspection  took  place.  Major  Sen  tell,  the 
Division  Inspector,  was  known  to  be  a  strict  and  stern 
officer  in  the  performance  of  his  duty.  The  result  wTas, 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  received  credit  for 
being  the  best  appearing  Regiment  in  the  Brigade. 

A  daily  line  of  steamboats  was  established  between 
New  Iberia  and  Bra  shear  City,  whereby  the  army  re 
ceived  its  regular  mails,  and  an  abundant  supply  of  food 
and  clotliing. 

A  system  of  camp  duties-was  instituted.  Oftentimes 
the  Regiment  was  detailed  as  a  guard  to  a  forage  train, 
when  it  would  march  out  in  the  country  some  eight  or 
ten  miles,  and  return  in  the  evening  loaded  down  with 
vegetables  and  fresh  meat.  In  this  way,  the  whole 
region  around  about  New  Iberia  was  .thoroughly  scoured. 


274  EKOOUD  Cil?  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

m 

Horse  racing  was  still  in  vogue,  and  at  stated  times 
thousands  of  soldiers  congregated  upon  an  open  plain,  to 
witness  this  exciting  sport. 

November  26th,  being  the  day  appointed  for  a  national 
thanksgiving,  was  observed  throughout  the  camp  as  a 
holiday.  General  Franklin  issued  an  order,  which  for  its 
boldness  and  uniqueness  will  challenge  any  Document  of 
a  similar  character.  An  extract  was  in  words  nearly  as 
follows : 

il  Upon  this  day,  Chaplains  are  directed  to  hold  divine 
service  at  the  head  of  their  respective  Regiments,  and  it 
is  also  ordered  that  one  whisky  ration  be  issued  to  each 
man  of  this  command." 

"  I  see  that  you  have  some  religion,  that  you  fear." 

The  General's  idea  of  theology  was  so  badly  confused 
that  the  Chaplains  were  horror-struck  !  It  is  said  they 
had  some  serious  arguments  as  to  whether  the  men  should 
have  their  whisky  before  the  service,  or  after. 

Afc  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  deprived  of 
the  services  of  a  Chaplain,  our  boys  protested  that  in  lieu 
of  a  sermon,  they  were  entitled  to  an  extra  ration.  It  is 
not  to  be  believed  that  they  obtained  it. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  the  Regiment  was  again  paid 
by  their  old  friend,  Major  Alton.  "  Mike,"  the  Sutler,  of 
course  opened  a  brisk  trade  in  his  new  stock  of  goods. 

It  had  been  rumored  for  some  time  that  the  Department 
of  the  Gulf  was  about  to  lose  the  valuable  services  of 
General  Weitzel.  The  report  was  so  distastful  to  the 
members  of  the  "Old  Brigade,"  that  they  refused  to 
credit  it.  But  alas !  it  proved  too  true.  On  the  morning 
of  December  10th,  the  news  flew  through  the  camps  that 
General  Weitzel  was  already  coming  down  the  road  on 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  275 


his  way  to  me  irunij.  Tiic  i^o^i«xo»itc  r»-f'  l»i«  "Rrigrade 
were  quickly  drawn  up  in  line  by  the  side  of  the  road. 
Although  a  large  part  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  had  that  morning  gone  out  on  a  foraging  expedi 
tion,  yet  there  was  enough  remaining  in  camp  to  make  a 
respectable  line  and  give  a  lusty  cheer.  Presently  the 
General  appeared,  and  with  uplifted  hat  and  tearful  eyes 
rode  slowly  along  the  lines,  amid  the  thunder  of  artillery, 
the  drooping  of  nags,  the  saluting  •  of  martial  music  and 
of  bands,  and  the  deafening  cheers  of  thousands  of  men. 

One  enthusiastic  young  man  sang  out  :  "  General,  you 
ai'nt  going  to  leave  us  for  good  ?"  "  Never  fear,"  said 
he,  "  I  shall  be  back  again."  At  another  place  the  General 
remarked  :  "  It  is  hard  to  part  with  you,  boys,  yet  I 
shall  not  be  gone  long." 

He  probably  thought  that  he  should  be  able  to  return, 
but  it  proved  the  last  time  the  Brigade  ever  saw  him. 
His  subsequent  history  in  the  Army  of  the  James  is 
known  to  every  reader.  It  is  needless  here  to  say,  that 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  throughout  its  entire 
service,  was  never  commanded  by  a  General  more  uni 
versally  loved  and  honored  than  General  Weit/el. 
Among  its  survivors  there  cannot  .be  found  a  man  who 
can  utter  a  disrespectful  word  against  this  accomplished 
officer. 

General  Weitzel  was  succeeded  in  command  of  the 
First  Division  by  General  Emory.  .Among  the  first 
things  he  did,  was  to  consolidate  the  camps  of  the  Brig 
ades,  so  as  to  obviate  the  necessity  of  having  so  long  a 
picket  line.  The  First  Brigade,  now  changed  to  the 
Third,  was  ordered,  on  the  17th  of  December,  to  move 
its  camp  one  mile  towards  New  Iberia.  This  was  very- 
discouraging,  seeing  the  men  had  labored  so  hard  in 


276  RECORD  OF  THE  OJSJK   HUN'DRJtD 

constructing  their  winter  ^**'*&™.  i?«t  +i*w^  w«0  no 
use  in  murmuring.  The  boys  choked  their  feelings,  tore 
down  their  houses,  loaded  up  their  building  material, 
shouldered  their  muskets,  and  marched  off  to  the  new 
camp,  which  was  found  very  low  and  muddy. 

Before  they  had  time  to  pitch  their  shelters,  a  violent 
Htorru  came  up,  drenching  them  to  the  skin,  and  convert 
ing  their  camping  ground  into  a  lake.  They  managed, 
somehow,  to  pass  a  miserable  night,  and  in  the  -morning 
went  vigorously  to  work,  draining  the/ground  and  re 
building  their  huts. 

On  the  llth,  Colonel  Per  Lee  started  for  the  North  on 
leave  of  absence.  Major  Curtis  was  left  in  charge  of  the 
Regiment,  which  he  retained  to  the  13th,  when  Lieuten 
ant  Colonel  Morse  arrived  from  Xew  Orleans,  whither  he 
had  been  on  the  Board  of  Prison  Inspectors,  Department 
of  the  Gulf,  and  assumed  command. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  16th,  one  non-commissioned 
officer  from  each  Company  left  camp  for  New  York,  on 
recruiting  service,  in  compliance  with  the  following 
order : 

HliA.DQUAUT.KRS    I>El'ABTMENT  OF  THE  GULF,   ( 

NKW  OttucAvs,  La,,  Dec.  8,  1863..     "   j 
Si>ii<  IAL  ORDERS,  No.  306. 

[Extract,.]  ,  /t>ff>/?--< 

20.  The  following-  Non-Commissioned  Officers  of  the  114th  New 
York  Volunteers,  will  proceed  to  the  State  of  New  York,  and  report 
to  the  Adjutant  General  of  the  State,  for  the  purpose  of  recruiting 
their  Regiment.  The  -senior  Non-Coumiissioned  Officer  will  take 
charge  of  the  detachment,  The  Quartermaster's  Department  will 
furnish  the  necessary  transportation: 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  G.  Washburn,  Company  A. 

First  Sergeant  Adrian  L.  Watson.  Company  B. 

Corporal  John  Brookins,  Company  C. 

Sergeant  Samuel  Dunto'n,  Company  D. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIME^T.  271 

Sergeant  Austin  I).  Cable,  Company  E. 
First  Serg^A^*^JTa^aS^ririv 
Sergeant  Theodore  Evans,  Company  11. 
Sergeant  Cyrus  R.  Warner,  Company  I. 
First  Sergeant  Edward  E.  Hunt,  Company  K. 

By  command  of  Major  General  BANKS. 

G.  NORMAN  LTEBER,  A.  A.  A.  (;. 

On  the  10th  of  December,  Captains  Knowlton  and 
Bockee  returned  from  the  North,  whither,  it  will  be  rec 
ollected,  they  went  five  months  before  to  obtain  con- 
.scripts. 

The  weather  was  now  becoming  every  day  more  and 
more  severe.  Among  the  oldest  inhabitants  it  was  gen 
erally  conceded  that  such  cold  weather  had  never  before 
been  experienced  in  that  region.  It  was  a  common 
remark  among  them,  that  the  Yankees  had  brought  down 
the  cold  from  the  land  of  snow  and  ice.  In  the  midst  of 
8uch  a  season,  dreary  and  muddy,  Christmas  day  came 
and  passed  without  much  enjoyment. 

On  the  28th  of  December,  Charles  Turner,  a  member 
of  Company  C,  was  executed  for  the  crime  of  desertion. 
In  the  following  order  from  Headquarters  Department  of 
the  Gulf,  will  be  found  the  charges  upon  which  he  was 
tried,  together  with  the  findings  and  sentence  of  the 
Court,  and  the  approval  of  the  Major  General  Command 
ing  :  ,-fi4fk:  f 

HEADQUARTERS,  DEPARTMENT  Of  THE  GULF.  / 

NEW  ORLEAXS^  December  7,  186^,  f 

GENERAL  ORDERS  No.  80. 

[Extract.] 

VIII.  Before  a  General  Court  Martial,  convened  pursuant  to 
Special  Orders  No.  5,  of  September  18th,  1868,  from  the  Headquar 
ters,  1st  Division,  19th  Army  Corps,  and  of  which  Major  W.  H.  Sen- 


-78  RECORD  OF  THE  OXE  HUNDRED 


*ew   York  Volunteers,"  is  President,   were  ar- 
Private  Charles  Turner,  Company  C,   114th  Regiment  New  York 
Volunteers. 

CHARGE  1.  "  Misbehavior  before  the  Enemy."  "  ',-'    ' 

CHARGE  2.  "  Disobedience  of  Orders." 

CHARGE  3.  "(  induct  to  the  prejudice  of  Good  'Order  and  Military 
Discipline." 

CHARGE  4.  "  Desertion." 

Finding:  Of  the  1st  charge  —  "Guilty." 

Of  the  2d  charge  —  '•'  Guilty." 

Of  the  3d  charge—"  Guilty." 

Of  the  4th  charge—"  Guilty." 

And  the  Court  does  therefore  sentence  him,  Private  Charles  Turner, 
Company  C,  114th  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  "  to  be  shot  to 
death  by  musketry,  at  such  time  and  place  as  shall  be  appointed  by 
the  Commanding  General  of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf  —  two-thirds 
of  the  members  of  the  Court  concurring  in  the  same." 

'XII.  The  proceedings,  findings  and  sentence  in  the  case  of  Private 
Charles  Turner,  Company  C,  114th  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers, 
are  approved.  He  will  accordingly  be  shot  to  death  with  musketry, 
Ix'tNveen  the  hours  of  sunrise  arid  sunset,  on  the  28th  day  of  Decem 
ber,  1868.  The  General  Commanding  the  1st  Division,  .19th  Army 
Corps,  is  charged  with  the  execution  of  this  -jentence,  and  will  desig 
nate  the  place  of  execution. 

By  command  of  Major  General  BANKS: 

G.  NORMAN  LIEBER, 
Acting  Assistant  Adjutant  General. 

Subsequently,  by  special  orders,  under  date  of  Decem 
ber  23d,-  Headquarters  Department  of  the  Gulf,  the 
Commanding  Officer  of  the  Defences  of  New  Orleans  was 
charged  with  the  execution  of  the  sentence. 

On  the  27th,  requisite  details  and  arrangements  were 
made  by  Colonel  E.  G.  Beckwith,  Commanding  Defences, 
and  the  Yicksburg  Cotton  Press  named  as  the  place  of 
execution.  Turner  for  some  time  had  been  confined  in 


AND  FOURTKENTH  REGIMENT.  2.7.9 

the  Parish  Prison,  yet  was  ignorant  of  his  sentence  till 
the  morning  before  it  was  to  be  carried  into  effect.  Dur 
ing  the  day  he  made  written  application  to  General  Banks 
for  a  reprieve  or  a  commutation  of  the  sentence.  Upon 
being  informed  that  the  result  could  not  be  changed,  and 
binding  that  his  only  hope  was,  gone,  he  immediately  set 
himself  to  work  to  prepare  for  the  awful  change.  Desir 
ing  Christian  sympathy  and  consolation,  Rev.  C.  B. 
Thomas,  Chaplain  of  the  University  and  St.  James  Hos 
pital,  was  soon  provided.  He  visited  him  in  the  evening, 
talked  and  prayed  with  him,  remaining  some  three  or 
four  hours.  Early  in  the  morning  lie  visited  him  again , 
remaining  in  prayer  and  conversation  till  the  doomed 
man  was  taken  from  the  prison,  and  then  rode  with  him 
upon  his  coffin  to  the  place  of  execution.  He  was  faith 
fully  attended  by  the  Chaplain  in  his  last  moments.  He 
died  a  penitent,  and  expressed  the  hope  that  the  odium 
of  his  .death  might  n^t  be  attached  to  his  wife  and 

child-  >.sit  ••"' 

We  have  referred  to  this  disagreeable  subject  at  some 
length,  because  it ,  was  the  only  case  of  capital  punish 
ment  that  occurred  in  the  Regiment. 

December  30th,  the  Regiment  jumped  aboard  a  wagon 
train,  and  started  off  on  a  cotton  expedition,  with  two 
days'  rations.  Riding,  out  in  a  northerly  direction,  they 
found  themselves  at  night  under  the  shelter  of  a  sugar 
mill.  The  next  morning  they  were  obliged  to  return  to 
camp,  having  failed  to  accomplish  the  object  of  their 
expedition,  on  account  of  the  condition  of  the  roads 
leading  to  the  swamp  where  the  cotton  was  concealed. 
They  arrived  in  camp  too  late  to  be  mustered  on  the 
regular  day,  which  deferred  their  muster  trll  the  day 
following. 


280  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

About  this  time  the  old  Brigade  lost  some  of  its  best 
Regiments.  The  Twelfth  Connecticut  and  Seventy-Fifth 
New  York,  and  subsequently  the  Eighth  Vermont,  hav 
ing  re-enlisted  as  veterans,  left  for  the  North,  on  thirty 
days'  furlough.  Weitzel's  ofd  Brigade  was  thus  effcctu^ 
ally  broken  up,  and  was  never  again  re-united. 

The  advent  of  Eighteen  Hundred  and  Sixty-Four  was 
so  cold  and  dreary,  that  it  proved  not  a  very  pleasant  or 
"  Happy  New  Year"  to  the  soldier.  It  was  more  a  day 
of  reflection  than  amusement.  As  the  men  lay  rolled  in 
their  blankets,  to  keep  themselves  warm,  their  minds 
wandered  back  to  the  exciting  scenes  of  the  year  that 
liad  passed.  One  year  before,  they  had  just  arrived  in  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf,  and  entered  upon  active  duties. 
Since  then,  they  had  marched  hundreds  of  weary  miles, 
fought  a  number  of  severe  battles,  witnessed  the  death  of 
many  comrades,  and  yet  the  rebellion  appeared  as  strong 
and  vigorous  as  ever.  In  the  present  state  of  things,,  it 
was  vain  to  hope  that  another  New  Year's  day  would 
find  them  situated  as  they  were  two  years  ago,  among  the 
peaceful  and  happy  enjoyments  of  home.  The  following 
general  order,  recounting  the  events  of  the  year,  was 

published  to  the  Regiment: 
'  . 

HEADQUARTERS  114TH  REGIMENT  N.  Y.  VOLS.,     .    ) 
IN  THE  FIELD,  NEAR  NEW  IBEJMA,  La.,  Jan.  1,  1864.  f 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  I. 

Another  year  having  drawn  to  a  close,  it  is  deemed  proper  to  re 
view  the  changes  which  have  taken  place  around  us,  and  to  mark  the 
results,  as  well  as  note  the  impress  which  the  hand  of  time  has  made. 
A  little  more  than  a  year  has  elapsed  since  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  Regiment  pledged  its  fortunes  under  the  banner  of  the 
gallant  Banks,  and  landed  on  the  shores  of  Louisiana.  Since  that 
time  the  history  of  the  Department  of  the  Gulf  has  been  its  history. 
Since  April,  1863,  the  Regiment  has  been  on  one  unbroken  campaign, 


AtfD  FOURTEENTH  BKUIMKNT.  281 

and  lias  invariably  been,  where  the  duty  1ms  been  most -onerous.  In 
11*  three  expeditions  up  theTeche,  it  has  marched  over  nine  hundred 
;md  fifty  miles — much  of  the  time  under  the  burning  sun  of  a  South 
ern  summer. 

In  its  engagements,  the  battle  of  Bislaud  and  the  siege  of  Port 
Hudson  will  ever  be  memorable,  as  well  as  the  part  it  acted  alone,  in 
checking  the  rebel  raid  at  Franklin,  in  May  last,  which  called  upon  it 
commendatory  orders  from  the  officer  in  command  of  the  force  escort- 
\n<r  an  immense  and  valuable  train  to  Berwick's  Bay.  It  has  borne 
well  its  part,  and  never,  having  been  called,  was  found  wanting. 

But,  in  its  victories,  it  has  been  called  to  mourn  the  loss  of  those 
who  were  prominent  in  its  interests,  who  gave  it  character  and  stand 
ing,  but  who  have  gone  to  the  land  of  heroes. 

Soldiers  !  It  is  not  inappropriate  to  give  a  passing  tribute  to  those 
brave  officers  and  men  who  yielded  up  their  lives  on  the  14th  of  J\me. 
in  that  fatal  charge  at  Port  Hudson.  The  lamented  Colonel  Smith, 
whose  interest  in  his  Regiment  was  akin  to  that  of  himself;  the  youth 
ful  Captain  Tucker,  just  entering  the  field  of  usefulness  and  promise  ; 
the  valiant  Corbin,  ever  ready  in  his  duty ;  and  those  others  of  our 
comrades  who  fell  while  bearing  the  banners  of  Liberty  even  into  the 
very  teeth  of  the  enemy,  shall  always  have  a  place  in  our  hearts,  and 
t.heir  names  and  deeds  shall  ever  remain  green  in  our  memories.  And 
further,  the  following  report  is  hereby  submitted  for  the  information 
of  the  command : 

CASUALTIES    IN    THE    REGIMENT. 

Officers.  Men. 

Killed  in  battle, 2  12 

Died  of  wounds  and  disease, 3  160 

Discharged, 15  100 

Deserted, 5 

Transferred, 1  32 

Total  casualties  for  the  year  ending  Dec.  31, 1863 21  .-299 

But  with  all  these  losses  there  has  been  much  gained.  In  this  De 
partment,  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  stronghold,  Port  Hudson ;  the 
occupancy  of  the  vast  tract  of  country  in  Western  Louisiana;  the 
opening  of  the  Mississippi ;  and  last,  the  recent  victories  in  Texas, 
admonish  us  that  it  has  been  a  year  of  advancement  in  our  cause,  and 
of  the  prosperity  of  our  interests.  This  refers  not  only  to  our  irmne- 


282  BBCORD  OF  THK  OME  HUNDRED 

diate  Department,  but  everywhere  has  victory  perched  on  our  ban 
ners,  and  we  may  well  return  our  acclaim  of  thanks  to  the  Ruler  «pf 
all  things,  for  our  prosperity  at  home ;  the  great  loyal  results 
throughout  the  North,  in  October  and  .November,  and  our  successes 
in  the  field. 

By  Order  of 

HENRY  B.  MORSE, 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Commanding  Regiment. 
E.  P.  PELLET,  Adjutant. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  283 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

Let  UB  consult  upon  to-morrow's  business : 
In  to  my  tent,  the  air  is  raw  and  cold. 

KING  RICIUBD  III. 

After  dark  of  the  evening  of  Janauary  5th,  the  as 
tounding  order  was  received  that  tke  army  be  ready  to 
move  at  8  o'clock  in  the  morning.  That  night,  as  one  of 
the  boys  expressively  said  of  it, "  the  weather  caught  cold," 
and  the  rain  froze  as  it  fell,  so  that  in  the  morning  the 
deep  mud  was  found  coated  over  with  ice.  This  made 
the  roads  almost  impassable,  and  the  order  to  march  was 
countermanded,  yet  it  brought  no  relief  to  our  men,  for 
4he  Regiment  was  ordered,  at  the  same  time,  to  go  out  a 
long  distance  on  picket.  Tramping  through  mud  and 
slush,  it  marched  a  little  way  beyond  the  town,  and  after 
posting  a  few  sentinels  at  important  points,  the  remainder 
of  the  men  distributed  themselves  among  the  vacated 
quarters  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  which  a  few  days  be 
fore  had  marched  off  to  Brashear  City.  They  spent  a 
conffortable  night,  under  shelter,  by  the  side  of  cheerful 
fires. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  a  staff  officer  rode  up  and 
ordered  the  Regiment  to  withdraw  its  pickets,  *and 
march  immediately  to  camp,  as  the  army  was  already  on 
the  move  down  the  Teche.  Hurrying  to  camp,  the  men 
had  only  time  to  pull  down  their  frozen  shelters,  before 
they  were  ordered  into  line,  and  marched  off  from  the 
familiar  old  camp  ground.  Taking  "  one  longing,  linger 
ie 


284  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

ing  look  behind,"  they  turned  their  faces  toward  Frank 
lin. 

The  English  language  is  inadequate,  the  powers  of 
rhetoric  too  feeble,  to  describe  the  march  of  that  day. 
The  army  of  the  Potomac,  stuck  in  the  mud,  could  not 
possibly  produce  anything  that  would  bear  even  a  com 
parison  to  the  scenes  that  were  witnessed.  A  confused 
mass  of  struggling,  wallowing,  dirty,  half-concealed-in- 
the  -mud  humanity,  all  day  slowly  labored  along  the 
roads  and  across  the  fields.  Wagons  were  hopelessly 
abandoned,  cannon  were  wrorked  along  only  by  dint  of 
hard  prying,  shouting  and  swearing.  Mules  and  horses 
dropped  dead  in  the  harness,  from  exhaustion  and  inhu 
man  beating.  Mud  floated  with  tents,  boxes  and  blan 
kets,  which  teamsters  -and  footmen  had  thrown  awa$"  to 
lighten  their  burdens. 

Darkness  closed  the  sights  of  the  day,  and  the  men 
rested  at  the  "  half-way  plantation,"  where  they  had 
encamped  so  many  times  before.  They  passed  a  wretch 
ed  and  sleepless  night,  for  they  were  compelled  to  lie 
upon  the  damp  ground,  while  a  keen  and  bitter  "  norther  " 
penetrated  every  fibre  of  their  blankets. 

They  were  up  early  in  the  morning,  and  re-enacted  in 
part  the  scenes  of  the  day  before,  though  the  marching 
was  improved,  as  the  ground  was  considerably  frozen. 
A  goodly  number  of  the  men,  endowed  with  more  than 
an  Ordinary  stock  of  Yankee  genius  and  cunning,  had 
slipped  from  the  ranks,  and  appropriating  canoes  or  con 
structing  rafts,  lazily  rode  down  the  bayou  in  advance  of 
the  army.  Arriving  at  Indian  Bend,  the  troops  were 
compelled  to  march  three  miles  out  of  their  way,  by 
going  around  Indian  Village,  when  in  dry  times  they 
were  enabled  to  cross  the  prairie.  Having  made  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  286 

circuit  of  the  bend,  the  weary  army  camped  for  the  night 
upon  a  deserted  plantation.  Most  ^of  our  men  secured 
comfortable  places,  within  the  sugar  mill  or  out-houses. 

At  10  o'clock,  the  9th  of  January,  the  men  were  halted 
one  mile  west  of  Franklin,  and  notified  that  here  they 
were  to  remain  for  some  time.  Upon  a  dry  and  grassy 
slope,  close  by  the  banks  of  the  Teche,  they  went  to  work 
to  build  houses  and  chimneys.  Lumber  and  brick  were 
scarce,  but  upoji  the  opposite  side  of  the  bayou  was  a 
large  plantation,  abundantly  supplied  with  building 
material.  There  was  a  great  rush  to  cross  the  stream, 
every  man  being  anxious  to  get  ahead  of  his  neighbor. 
One  man  paddled  over  on  three  rails ;  another  was  seen 
sailing  across  in  a  cauldron  kettle.  When  once  they 
reached  the  opposite  bank,  material  enough  could  be 
secured  to  make  and  load  a  raft,  and  bring  the  men  back 
in  safety.  . 

After  the  labor  of  a  few  days,  the  camp  at  Franklin 
was  made  even  more  comfortable  than  preceding  ones. 
From  this  time  the  weather  was  delightful,  neither  too 
cold  nor  too  warm.  The  duty  was  light ;  games  of  ball, 
and  sports  of  various  kinds  were  daily  indulged  in.  The 
health  of  the  Regiment  was  remarkably  good.  The 
record  of  this  time  forms  one  of  the  pleasantest  pages 
in  its  whole  history. 

The  men  were  now  obliged  to  keep  their  guns  and 
accoutrements  in  good  order,  and  the  company  streets 
and  tents  looking  clean  and  neat.  To  this  end,  frequent 
inspections  were  had.  At  different  times,  the  Regiment 
underwent  the  rigid  scrutiny  of  such  men  as  Colonel 
Dwight,  Major  Sentell,  Captain  York,  and  the  Medical 
Director  of  the  Corps.  The  men  were  relieved  to  a  cer 
tain  extent  from  the  irksomeness  of  camp  confinement, 
and  were  freely  allowed  to  visit  the  town,  and  the  »ur- 


286  KKCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

rounding  neighborhood.  The  beautiful  town  of  Frank 
lin  became  aroused  from  its  lethargy,  by  Yankee 
speculators,  who  opened  all  the  shops  and  drove  a  lively 
business.  A  party  of  soldiers  of  the  Second  Duryea's 
Zouaves  opened  an  excellent  theatre  in  a  large  hall,  and 
every  night  enacted  tragedy  and  comedy  to  overflowing 
houses.  When  the  men  did  not  wish  to  employ  their 
time  in  the  amusements  of  the  town,  they  would  wander 
among  the  camps.  The  camp  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Sixteenth  New  York  was  a  pl#ce  of  especial  resort,  being 
regarded  as  one  of  the  greatest  curiosities  in  the  army. 

Situated  in  a  very  romantic  spot,  its  inmates  had  with 
a  great  amount  of  pains  and  pride,  enhanced  the  natural 
beauty  of  the  location.  By  the  use  of  moss  and  ever 
greens,  they  constructed  arbors,  bowers  and  arches, 
resembling  architecture  of  every  kind.  Their  grounds 
were  laid  out  with  exquisite  taste.  Flower  beds,  miniature 
forts  and  monitors,  rustic  seats  and  shrubbery,  every 
where  met  the  delighted  eye.  In  the  evening,  when  the 
camp  was  lit  up  by  fires,  the  effect  was  perfectly  enchant 
ing,  reminding  one  of  the  fabled  scenes  of  Oriental 
magnificence. 

On  the  17th  of  January,  Colonel  Merritt,  the  Comman 
der  of  the  Brigade,  sent  invitations  to  all  the  officers  of 
his  command,  to  meet  him  that  evening  at  his  Head 
quarters,  that  he  might  extend  to  his  old  comrades  in 
arms  his  parting  respects,  as  on  the  following  morning  he 
was  to  return  north  with  his  Regiment,  the  Seventy- 
Fifth  New  York,  "r  A  pleasant  time  was  anticipated  and 
fully  realized.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  some  very  amus 
ing  and  hilarious  events  occurred.  There  was  "  no  sleep 
till  morn,"  when  the  party  broke  up.  Colonel  Merritt 
issued  a  congratulatory  order  upon  leaving  his  command. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Morse  immediately  took  command 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  287 

of  the  Brigade,  and  Major  Curtis  of  the  Regiment.  In  a 
few  days  Colonel  Morse  was  relieved  by  Colonel  Dwight, 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixtieth  New  York. 

At  this  time,  General  Dwight  commanded  the  First 
Division,  General  W.  H.  Emory  the  Corps,  and  Major 
General  Franklin  the  army  in  the  field. 

The  first  time  that  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
ever  participated  in  a  grand  review,  was  on  the  25th  of 
January,  when  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  reviewed  by 
General  Emory.  A  pleasant  day,  ^vvith  a  beautiful 
ground,  conspired  to  make  the  ceremony  a  very  impress 
ive  and  imposing  affair.  With  clean  uniforms,  shining 
bayonets  and  floating  banners,  to  the  strains  of  martial 
music,  the  long  column  passed  before  the  reviewing  officer. 
When  the  display  was  over,  every  one  seemed  satisfied 
with  the  part  he  had  taken  in  it. 

February  3d,  the  Regiment  assisted  in  another  military 
pageant.  It  was  on  the  occasion  of  raising  a  flag  upon  a 
secession  pole  in  the  public  square  at  Franklin.  The 
whole  Brigade  was  marched  to  town,  and  drawn  up  in  line 
along  the  main  street.  When  the  Stars  and  Strips  were 
unfurled  from  the  peak  of  the  pole,  a  salute  of  artillery 
was  given,  the  troops  presented  arms,  the  colors  were 
drooped,  and  the  assembled  spectators  gave  way  to  deaf 
ening  cheers*  The  troops  then  marched  back  to  their 
quarters,  to  talk  over  this  latest  sensation. 

On  the  6th  of  February,  there  was  a  repetition  of  the 
review  of  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps,  only  that  General 
Franklin  was  the  reviewing  officer. 

February  12th,  the  Quartermaster  came  up  from  New 
Orleans  with  the  tents  for  the  Regiment,  where  they  had 
been  stored  for  nearly  two  months.  The  rotten,  flimsy 
shelters  were  in  a  short  time  replaced  by  firm  canvas, 
impervious  to  rains. 


288  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

February  18th,  the  Regiment  was  ordered  out  upon  a 
foraging  expedition.  Marching  to  the  town,  the  men 
were  distributed  upon  a  train  of  two  hundred  and  fifty 
wagons.  Riding  up  the  Teche  and  across  Indian  Prairie, 
they  turned  to  the  left  of  the  familiar  thoroughfare  near 
the  Post  Office  of  Jeanerets,  and  then  moved  -out  across 
the  plains,  in  the  direction  of  Bayou  Cypress  Morte. 
Proceeding  in  this  direction  a  few  miles,  the  train  sud 
denly  came  in  sight  of  a  large  force  of  cavalry,  who  had 
formed  in  line  of  battle  across  the  road.  Instantly,  the 
Regiment  was  unloaded  fro'm  the  wagons,  a  line  was 
formed,  and  skirmishers  were  thrown  out  in  advance.  In 
a  few  minutes  shots  began  to  be  rapidly  exchanged  with 
the  cavalry.  When  the  action  was  about  becoming  gen 
eral,  an  officer  was  seen  approaching,  waving  a  white 
handkerchief.  As  he  came  nearer,  it  was  joyfully  discov 
ered  that  he  wore  the  blue  uniform.  Thus  it  was  that 
the  Regiment  had  a  narrow  escape  from  having  a  collision 
with  a  scouting  party  of  New  Jersey  cavalry.  Happily 
no  one  had  been  injured,  and  the  men  breathed  freer 
when  they  again  jumped  aboard  the  wagons  and  moved 
on.  A  short  distance  further,  and  the  train  halted  at  a 
large  plantation  and  commenced  to  load  with  corn  and 
fodder,  while  the  men  indulged  in  private  enterprises,  by 
ransacking  gardens  and  poultry  yards.  1%  the  evening 
they  returned  to  Franklin,  well  loaded  with  forage. 

Many  changes  were  constantly  being  made  in  the  or 
ganization  of  the  army.  At  length  it  was  announced 
that  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  in  company  with 
the  Thirtieth  Massachusetts,  Fifteenth  Maine,  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixty-First,  and  One  Hundred  and  Seventy- 
Third  New  York  Regiments,  composed  the  First  Bri 
gade,  First  Division,  Nineteenth  Army  Corps.  The  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  ever  after  retained  its  connec- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  289 

lion  with  this  organization,  until  the  dissolution  of  the 
Nineteenth  Corps.  Yet  there  continued  to  be  so  many 
changes  among  the  other  Regiments  of  the  command, 
that  eventually  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  became 
the  only  original  member  of  the  Brigade. 

In  a  short  time  after  the  promulgation  of  the  above 
order,  the  arrival  of  fresh  troops  from  the  north  rendered 
it  necessary  to  make  still  further  alterations.  It  was 
then  ordered  that  the  One  Hundred  and  Seventy-Third 
New  York  and  Fifteenth  Maine  be  transferred  to  another 
command,  and  that  the  vacancies  thus  formed,  be  filled 
with  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New  York  and 
Twenty-Ninth  Maine.  The  Thirteenth  Massachusetts 
had  gone  home  on  veteran  furlough,  and  its  place  was 
for  the  time  being  filled  by  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fifty-Third  New  York.  The  Brigade  as  thus  formed, 
with  a  single  exception,  remained  unchanged,  for  any 
length  of  time,  to  the  end  of  the  war.  It  consisted  as 
follows :  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  One  Hundred 
and  Sixteenth,  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third,  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixty-First  New  York,  Thirtieth  Massachusetts 
and  Twenty-Ninth  Maine. 

The  one  hundred  and  thirty-second  anniversary  of 
Washington's  birth-day  was  celebrated  in  all  the  camps, 
with  much  enthusiasm.  A  salute  of  thirty-six  guns  was 
fired  at  sunrise,  meridian  and  sunset.  At  noon,  the  First 
Division  was  drawn  up  in  line  for  a  short  time,  when 
General  Emory  held  an  informal  review. 

February  27th,  the  Regiment  was  again  mustered  for 
pay.  Every  one  was  anxious  to  see  a  Paymaster,  since 
four  months'  pay  was  due  the  command. 

Colonel  Love,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New 
York,  at  this  time  commanded  the  Briga_de.  An  accom- 


290  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

plished  and  indefatigable  officer,  he  was  generally  liked 
by  his  command.  Under  his  direction  the  men  received 
their  first  instruction  in  Brigade  evolutions. 

The  time  was  now  rapidly  approaching,  when  enjoy 
ment  and  ease  of  camp  life  were  to  be  replaced  by  the 
labors  and  fatigues  of  another  campaign.  Indeed,  the 
men  had  become  weary  of  the  monotonous  nature  of  re 
views,  parades,  inspections  and  drills — had  become  nau 
seated  with  what  is  termed  "  fancy  soldiering  " — and  were 
longing  to  engage  once  more  in  the  exciting  scenes  of 
marches  and  battles.  A  soldier  is  an  uneasy  creature. 
He  is  never  contented  with  any  settled  form  of  life. 
When  on  the  march,  he  is  eager  to  enjoy  the  rest  and 
quiet  of  camp  life.  When  in  camp,  he  is  continually 
complaining  of  ennui.  There  can  be  no  intermediate 
ground,  so  he  is  never  satisfied. 

"  Soldiers  always  live 
In  idleness  or.peril :  both  are  bad." 

When,  at  the  evening  dress  parade  of  March  6th,  an 
order  was  read  notifying  the  command  to  be  prepared 
for  a  long  campaign,  it  was  gratefully  received  by  the 
men.  From  thence,  the  few  remaining  days  at  Franklin 
were  employed  in  busy  preparations  for  the  anticipated 
movement.  Superfluous  baggage  was  boxed  up  and  sent 
to  New  Orleans  for  storage.  Even  the  tents  were  hauled 
down,  to  be  conveyed  away,  and  the  diminutive  shelters 
took  their  places.  Cartridge  boxes  were  filled  with  am 
munition  ;  wagons  were  repaired,  and  mules  and  horsey 
re-shod.  The  army  was  also  enlarged  by  the  arrival  of 
thousands  of  cavalrymen  from  Brashear  City. 

Day  after  day  the  men  anxiously  awaited  the  final 
order  of  departure.  But  although  many  and  voluminous 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KBGIMKNT.  291 

were  the  instructions  received,  relative  to  the  details  of 
the  coming  campaign,  yet  the  order  to  march  was  delay 
ed  for  over  a  week.  In  the  meantime,  the  men  were  very 
much  exercised  to  learn  the  destination  and  design  of  the 
expedition.  Never  before  had  a  campaign  opened,  when 
our  men  were  so  perfectly  unable  to  form  any  conjecture 
of  where  they  were  going,  and  what  they  were  expected 
to  do.  Among  all  their  camp-fire  discussions,  the  most 
reasonable  theory  advanced  was,  that  the  army  was  to 
march  in  a  circuitous  route  to  the  rear  of  Mobile,  making 
a  campaign  precisely  of  a  similar  character  as  the  one 
that  had  been  carried  out  so  successfully  the  year  before 
against  Port  Hudson.  It  was  not  generally  credited  that 
another  movement  was  intended  in  the  direction  of  Tex 
as,  for  it  was  argued  that,  having  cut  the  ^Confederacy  in 
twain,  by  opening  the  Mississippi  River,  the  western  or 
smaller  fragment  of  it  no  longer  remained  a  vital  part  of 
the  bogus  government.  The  question  was  very  pointedly 
put :  "  If  we  whip  the  -  rebels  east  of  the  Mississippi, 
how  long  can  they  hold  out  in  their  Trans-Mississippi  De 
partment  ?"  It  was  not  thought  possible,  therefore,  that 
the  authorities  could  waste  the  lives  and  resources  of  so 
large  and  fine  an  army  in  only  disabling  the  extremities 
of  the  monster  Rebellion,  while  its  head  and  heart  would 
remain  unharmed. 

It  is  proper  here  to  remark,  that  thia  was  the  com 
mencement  of  the  famous  RED  RTVER  CAMPAIGN. 


292  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

Now,  soldiers,  march  away:— 
And  how  thou  pleasest,  God,  dispose  the  day ! 

KIKO  HKMBT  V. 

At  dress  parade  of  March  14th,  the  long  expected  or 
der  was  read.  It  directed  the  army  to  be  ready  to  inarch 
at  7  o'clock  the  following  morning.  Reveille  was  sound 
ed  early  on  the  morning  of  the  loth,  so  that  shelters 
were  down  and  knapsacks  packed  before  the  appointed 
hour.  Notwithstanding  their  desire  to  be  away,  the  men 
felt  some  reluctance  in  abandoning  their  pleasant  camp. 
After  remaining  here  two  months  and  a  week,  when  they 
marched  for  the  last  time  across  the  parade  ground,  and 
out  upon  the  road  to  Franklin,  it  seemed  as  though  they 
were  leaving  home.  Joining  with  the  rest  of  the 
Brigade,  near  the  town,  the  column  started  upon  the  old 
familiar  road  up  the  Teche.  That  road,  that  had  before 
received  the  impress  of  so  many  weary  feet,  was  being 
traversed  for  the  sixth  time  by  the  Regiment. 

The  march  that  day,  as  indeed  throughout  the  whole 
campaign,  was  very  admirably  conducted.  The  gait  of 
the  men  was  kept  uniform,  and  so  equalized  that  two 
miles  and  a  half  was  the  distance  traveled  in  art  hour. 
It  was  also  ordered  that  the  troops  march  one  hour,  and 
then  rest  ten  minutes.  At  12  o'clock,  the  column  was 
halted  thirty  minutes  for  dinner.  In  this  way  the  men 
made  their  first  day's  march  with  little  fatigue,  and 
early  in  the  afternoon  encamped  upon  the  "  half-way 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KKGIMKX'f .  29& 

plantation,"  where  five  previous  times  they  had  halted 
over  night. 

Resuming  the  march  at  7  o'clock  on  the  16th,  they 
moved  on  towards  New  Iberia.  Before  arriving  at  the 
town,  the  men  passed  by  the  ruins  of  their  last  camp  at 
this  place.  "There's  my  house,  right  there,"  said  one 
young  man,  pointing  in  the  direction  of  the  camp.  "  And 
there's  the  chimney  I  built,"  said  another.  The  deserted 
parade  ground,  the  picket  posts,  the  well  worn  path  which- 
for  two  months  had  been  trod  over  and  over  again,  were 
all  objects  of  interest. 

In  a  short  time  they  emerged  from  the  narrow  street  o£ 
New  Iberia,  and  came  out  upon  the  prairie.  Proceeding 
five  miles  further,  they  encamped  again  near  the  banks  of 
Lake  Tasse. 

The  next  day,  the  17th,  the  army  marched  sixteen 
miles,  to  Vermilion  Bayou,  which  they  reached  at  3 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  camped  close  by  the  stream. 
The  remainder  of  the  day  and  night  Avas  spent  in  build 
ing  a  bridge  over  the  bayou,  making  the  third  time  the 
engineers  had  been  compelled  to  bridge  this  same  water.. 

At  6  o'clock  of  the  1 8th,  the  army  resumed  its  march.. 
In  a  short  time  they  came  in  sight  of  their  old  camp  at 
Vermilionville.  There  were  the  rifle  pits  and  breast 
works  running  across  the  fields,  precisely  as  they  had  left 
them.  There  was  the  Mouton  mansion,  looking  the  same 
as  ever.  The  little  huts  and  refuse  of  camp  were  even 
untouched.  There  was  the  quaint  old  Catholic  Church^ 
from  the  spire  of  which  the  signal  men  had  been  wont  to 
wave  their  little  flags  and  lamps. 

Through  Vermilionville  the  army  tramped,  and  upon, 
the  road  towards  Carrioncrow  Bayou.  For  six  times,, 
by  starlight  or  beneath  the  burning  rays  of  the  sun,  had 


:294  RBCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

that  road  been  traversed,  until  even  the  trees  and  bushes 
'had  become  familiar.  Crossing  the  bridge  at  Bayou 
Oar-rloncrow,  the  army  continued  for  several  miles,  when 
It  encamped  by  the  side  of  a  small  stream,  which,  with  our 
men,  went  by  the  name  of  Burbridge's  Bayou,  because  it 
was  the  place  of  General  Burbridge's  severe  battle  of  the 
fall  before. 

That  day's  march  of  nineteen  miles  was  one  of  great 
•severity  and  fatigue,  and  caused  much  straggling  among 
the  newly  enlisted  Regiments,  that  were  making  their 
first  campaign.  It  was  painful  to  witness  the  young  and 
pale-faced  recruits,  whose  stiffened  limbs  and  blistered 
feet  could  scarcely  drag  their  tired  bodies  along.  They 
.-appeared,  however,  to  attract  but  little  sympathy  from 
old  campaigners.  Whenever  a  column  passed  by  a 
of  weary  and  disconsolate  looking  stragglers,  the 
poor  fellows  would  be  greeted  with  such  shouts  as  these : 

"  Say,  ain't  you  sorry  you  came  a  soldiering,  for  nine 
liundred  and  a  c-a-ow  ?" 

"  Hurry  up  there,  Old  Limpy,  we  've  got  to  inarch 
eleven  miles  further  to-day." 

"  Here's  where  you  get  the  worth  of  your  bounty 
money." 

Hundreds  of  knapsacks,  filled  with  valuable  clothing, 
were  thrown  away  by  the  side  of  the  road.  These  our 
men  eagerly  appropriated  for  their  own  use,  and  before 
night  nearly  every  man  in  the  Regiment  had  a  new  knap 
sack  filled  with  new  clothing,  "  strapped  upon  his  back." 
Since  the  capture  of  Brashear  City,  nearly  a  year  before, 
oar  boys  had  been  deprived  of  knapsacks.  In  all  their 
previous  marches  they  had  been  compelled  to  carry  their 
clothes  rolled- up  in  a  rubber  blanket,  and  thrown  across 
their  shoulders. 


AKD  FOURTEENTH  JJEGIMKNT.  295- 

On  the  morning  of  the  19th,  the  army  again  moved  on^ 
At  1 1  o'clock  they  passed  through  Opelousas,  with  music 
and  unfurled  banners.  When  near  the  centre  of  the 
town,  a  tremendous  cheering  was  heard  at  the  head  of 
the  column,  which  was  repeated  from  Regiment  to  Regi 
ment.  Soon  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  perceived 
the  cause  of  the  demonstration,  and  then  it  too  indulged 
in  hearty  and  prolonged  cheers.  A  young  lady  was  ob 
served  standing  upon  a  veranda  and  waving  a  miniature 
flag  of  the  Union.  Such  an  unusual  and  refreshing  sight 
was  greeted  with  deafening  applause,  while  many  remov 
ed  their  caps  and  reverently  bowed.  When  beyond  the 
outskirts  of  the  village,  the  sounds  of  cheering  soldiers 
were  still  faintly  heard  in  the  direction  of  the  house  of 
the  loyal  lady. 

In  a  few  hours  the  army  arrived  at  Washington,  and 
marched  to  music  through  the  streets  of  that  town- 
Crossing  Bayou  Courtebleau,  upon  a  bridge  constructed 
by  the  citizens  for  their  special  use,*  the  men  pitched  their 
shelters  upon  the  opposite  bank  of  that  stream. 

The  20th  of  March,  the  army  rested,  and  much  the 
men  needed  a  little  repose,  for  having  inarched  eighty 
miles  in  five  days,  they  had  become  foot-sore  and  jaded.. 
Nothing  of  interest  occurred  during  the  day.  The  Thir 
teenth  Corps  crossed  over  the  bridge  and  camped  a  mile 
further  up  the  bayou. 

At  this  time  there  was  no  danger  felt  of  an  attack  of 
the  enemy,  as  a  force  of  some  tea  thousand  of  our  caval 
ry,  under  General  Lee,  was  moving  several  days  in 
advance  of  the  infantry,  driving  rebel  bands  before  thent. 

On  the  21st,  the  march  was  continued  along  the  well 
known  banks  of  Bayou  Boeuf.     It  was  a  drizzling 
*  Bee  page  ITS. 


296  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRBI* 

and  the  roads  were  so  muddy  and  slippery  that  the  men 
traveled  with  considerable  difficulty.  After  laboring  all 
day,  they  had  accomplished  but  twelve  miles,  when  they 
•encamped  for  the  night  upon  a  ploughed  and  swampy 
field.  Pieces  of  boards  and  rails  kept  the  men  from  lying 
in  the  mud  and  water,  and  with  the  aid  of  a  whisky 
ration,  they  passed  the  night  in  tolerable  comfort. 

The  morning  sun  quickly  dried  the  mud,  and  the  army 
made  up  the  distance  it  had  lost  the  day  preceding. 
Eighteen  miles  were  traversed,  and  in  the  evening  our 
men  camped  at  the  village  of  Holmesville.  The  old 
school  master  still  remained,  the  sole  inhabitant  of  this 
deserted  town. 

Cheneyville,  fifteen  miles  distant,  was  reached  on  the 
23d,  at  2  o'clock,  and  an  encampment  made  upon  a  pas 
ture  lot  in  front  of  the  residence  of  one  Captain  Mar 
shall,  of  the  rebel  army.  The  plantation  of  this  man  had 
suffered  but  little  from  the  effects  of  war,  for  his  fences 
and  out-buildings  were  unharmed.  Scarcely  had  the 
different  Regiments  been  marched  to  their  respective 
camping  places,  and  stacked  arms,  when  thousands  of 
running,  screaming  soldiers  made  a  grand  raid  upon  the 
fences.  It  was  the  most  sudden  and  miraculous  disap 
pearance  of  miles  of  fencing  that  was  ever  known.  It 
was  like  the  trick  of  a  juggler,  when  he  says,  "  Now  you 
see  it — and  now  you  don't."  Camp  fires  that  night  were 
uncommonly  brilliant. 

Reveille  sounded  early  on  the  morning  of  the  24th, 
and  after  a  hearty  breakfast  the  army  was  moving.  Pres 
ently  it  passed  through  the  beautiful  village  of  Cheney 
ville,  where,  it  will  be  recollected,  our  boys  once  spent  a 
rainy  night  under  shelter  of  churches  and  hotels. 

From  this  place  the  Regiment  entered  upon  what 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  297 

to  it,  a  new  and  unknown  section  of  country.  This  had 
been  the  limit  of  its  former  travels.  Continuing  to  follow 
the  tortuous  windings  of  Bayou  Boeuf,  the  troops  passed 
through  a  populous  and  fertile  country,  every  plantation 
giving  evidence  of  the  opulence  and  refinement  of  its  in 
habitants.  At  noon  the  column  turned  off  from  Bayou 
Boeuf,  and  pursued  a  road  that  followed  Bayou  Robin. 
Shortly  the  army  crossed  the  track  of  the  Alexandria  rail 
road.  And  oh!  what  a  rail  road!  It  was  so  narrow, 
crooked  and  uneven,  that  it  seemed  impossible  for  any 
vehicle  to  keep  upright  upon  its  broken  rails  and  warped 
and  rotten  timbers.  A  person  consenting  to  ride  upon 
it  for  a  few  miles,  would  esteem  it  a  luxury  to  complete 
his  journey  upon  the  tail-board  of  a  plantation  cart.  It 
was  an  excellent  illustration  of  southern  enterprise. 

The  country  here  was  more  heavily  wooded  than  any 
that  had  previously  been  seen  in  Louisiana.  The  road 
passed  through  a  narrow  strip  of  open,  cultivated  land, 
enclosed  by  dense  forests.  Marching  eighteen  miles,  the 
army  camped  upon  the  plantation  of  M.  J.  Wells,  who 
had  lately  been  elected  Lieutenant-Governor,  on  the  Free 
State  ticket.*  A  loyal  man,  who  had  suffered  much  from 
rebellion,  every  care  was  taken  by  the  army  to  inflict  no 
injury  upon  his  property.  Having  been  driven  from  his 
home  by  persecution,  he  had  followed  our  army  to  this 
place,  and  now,  for  the  first  time  in  over  a  year,  met  in 
the  embrace  of  his  family. 

Just  as  the  troops  were  moving  off  the  road,  to  go  into 
camp,  a  thunder  shower  came  up.  In  the  midst  of  tor 
rents  of  rain,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  or 
dered  to  the  front  on  picket.  Marching  up  the  road  a 
short  distance,  the  Regiment  was  halted  near  the  resi- 

•  At  the  present  time  of  writing,  he  is  Governor  of  Louisiana. 


298  RECORD  OF  TUB  ONE  HUNDRED 

dence  of  the  Governor,  where  a  few  men  were  posted 
upon  a  short  line,  and  the  balance  of  the  command  was 
directed  to  hold  itself  in  reserve,  beneath  the  shelter  of  a 
large  gin  house.  That  night  the  men  slept  dry,  upon  soft 
beds  of  cotton,  while  the  rain  kept  beating  against  the 
roof  of  the  old  building. 

In  the  morning  the  sun  came  up  warm,  and  ushered  in 
a  beautiful  day.  At  7  o'clock  the  column  was  again  in 
motion.  During  that  forenoon  the  army  marched 
through  a  region  that,  for  beautiful  scenery,  elegant 
residences,  and  other  evidences  of  taste  and  wealth 
among  the  people,  would  vie  with  the  Teche  or  the  La 
Fourche  countries.  Among  the  finest  plantations,  the 
one  lately  occupied  by  the  rebel  Governor  Moore,  and 
another  owned  by  Madam  Flowers,  were  particularly 
admired.  The  latter  had  a  spacious  lawn,  upon  which 
were  the  most  rare  and  beautiful  plants,  neatly  construct 
ed  arbors,  and  a  variety  of  trees  and  shrubbery,  trimmed 
into  every  fantastic  shape. 

By  1 1  o'clock  the  army  turned  away  from  Bayou  Rob 
in,  and  went  through  woods  and  swamps,  upon  a  short 
causeway.  A  shor£  time  after,  the  men  came  in  sight  of 
the  spires  of  Alexandria,  upon  the  Red  River.  This 
place  was  already  occupied  by  Union  troops,  and  it  was 
joyous  and  refreshing  to  see  the  old  flag  flying  over  the 
town,  to  perceive  the  smoke  arising  from  many  gunboats, 
and  behold  myriads  of  tents  scattered  over  the  plain. 

Resting  a  short  time  upon  the  outskirts  of  the  town, 
the  colors  were  unfurled,  the  band  struck  up,  and  the 
men  marched  through  the  streets  of  Alexandria.  On 
they  went,  by  a  jail  where  rebel  prisoners  were  peeping 
through  barred  windows— by  the  Court  House  upon  the 
public  square — by  General  Banks,  who  was  standing  on 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  290 

the  veranda  of  a  house,  looking  at  the  passing  column — 
through  narrow  and  crowded  streets,  at  length  emerg 
ing  upon  the  northern  suburbs  of  the  village.  Then 
they  camped  by  the  banks  of  Bayou  Rapides,  (pronounc 
ed  Rop-eed,)  which  at  this  place  flows  into  the  Red 
River.  After  pitching  their  tents  and  cleaning  up  their 
garments,  in  the  evening  the  men  rambled  about  the  town. 

Alexandria,  the  county  seat  of  the  Parish  of  Rapides, 
is  a  place  of  some  three  thousand  inhabitants,  containing 
three  or  four  churches,  several  public  buildings,  a  number 
of  hostels,  and  many  fine  residences.  It  is  situated  upon  a 
high  bluff  on  the  south  bank  of  Red  River,  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  miles  from  its  mouth.  It  is  the  most 
important  landing  on  the  river,  being  the  outlet  of  a 
rich  agricultural  country.  Its  commerce  is  unobstructed 
at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  whereas  above  this  place  the 
river  is  only  navigable  in  times  of  freshets,  by  reason  of 
narrow  and  rocky  rapids  which  exist  about  a  mile  above 
the  town.  These  rapids  are  called  ."  the  falls."  The 
main  business  portion  of  Alexandria  ranges  along  a  nar 
row  street  upon  the  summit  of  the  bluff,  some  forty  feet 
above  the  river.  Some  of  the  finest  buildings  of  the 
town  are  upon  this  street,  facing  the  river,  conspicuous 
among  which  is  the  largest  hotel  in  the  state,  outside  ^f 
New  Orleans,  called  the  "  Ice  House." 

A  description  of  the  Red  River  may  serve  for  fulva'tt 
purposes.  It  is  a  dirty,  sluggish  stream,  about  the  eighth 
of  a  mile  wide,  flowing  in  an  extremely  crooked  channel. 
Its  bends  and  curves  are  so  exaggerated  that  they  seem 
almost  unnatural.  In  its  course  it  has  worn  out  a  deep 
channel  from  a  clayey  and  sandy  soil,  so  that  for  the 
most  part  it  is  enclosed  between  "steep  clay  bluffs.  In  all 
the  water  charged  with  mud  which  our  men  had 

24 


300  RECORD  OF  THK  ONE  HUNDKKI> 

compelled  to  drink,  they  had  never  before  seen  anything 
that  came  so  near  being  a  compromise  between  earth  and 
water  as  the  Red  River.  It  was  almost  the  extreme  limit 
to  which  the  two  elements  could  be  united.  A  tumbler 
full  dipped  from  the  yellow  current  was  rarely  transpa 
rent,  and  when  poured  off  again  would  leave  the  glasn 
coated  with  mud.  And  yet,  for  many  weeks  the  army  to 
a  great  extent  was  forced  to  ,use  this  water,  which  was 
productive  of  a  frightful  amount  of  disease. 

For  two  days  the  army  rested  at  Alexandria,  and 
gratefully  the  boys  enjoyed  the  little  season  of  repose. 
They  had  marched  one  hundred  and  sixty-five  miles  fn 
eleven  days,  of  which  one  day  only  had  been  spent  in 
rest,  thus  making  an  average  of  (5ver  sixteen  miles  a  day. 
To  the  credit  of  General  Franklin  be  it  said,  that  it  was 
the  best  conducted  march  our  men  had  ever  experienced. 
In  uniformity  of  gait  and  distance,  in  the  selection  of 
camp  grounds,  in  the  movement  of  wagon  trains  and  ar 
tillery,  General  Franklin  evinced  a  great  deal  of  foresight 
and  capacity. 

Concerning  this  march,  Colonel  Morse  complimented 
the  Regiment  in  the  following  words: 

"The  Lieutenant  Colonel  Commanding  takes  pleasure  in  communi 
cating  to  his  command  his  approval  of  the  manner  in  which  the  late 
march  has  been  conducted,  on  the  part  of  the  members  of  the  Regi 
ment.  He  assures  them  that  by  strict  observance  of  orders,  as  well  as 
by  the  degree  of  punctuality  which  has  characterized  the  command, 
they  have  shown  themselves  worthy  of  the  name  of  veterans ;  and  he 
is  proud  of  the  conduct  which  has  placed  them  second  to  no  Regiment. 
in  the  Corps. 

"  Officers  and  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  you  have 
merited  the  many  compliments  bestowed  upon  you." 

'  Now  the  men  had  an  opportunity  to  learn  of  events 
that  had  transpired  during  the  march.  Portions  of  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMKNT.  301 

Sixteenth  and  Seventeeth  Army  Corps,  under  command 
of  Major  General  A.  J.  Smith,  had  been  detached  from 
General  Grant's  army,  at  Vicksburg,  for  duty  in  the  Gulf 
Department.  Simultaneous  with  the  advance  of  the 
Nineteenth  Corps  from  Franklin,  these  troops  had  landed 
at  the  mouth  of  the  Red  River,  and  marched  in  the  direc 
tion  of  Alexandria.  In  their  journey  they  came  to  Fort 
De  Russey,  celebrated  in  rebeldom  as  a  point  well  nigh 
invulnerable — sufficient,  it  was  thought,  to  protect  and 
hold  the  indispensable  channel  of  the  river.  By  a  rapid 
strategical  movement,  in  which  General  Taylor  was 
drawn  outside  of  his  defenses,  the  fort,  commanded  by" 
Colonel  Bird,  a  Texan  officer,  was  easily  captured,  with 
ten  guns  and  three  hundred  and  twenty-five  prisoners. 
Thus  the  way  was  opened  for  the  advance  of  Admiral 
Porter's  Mississippi  flotilla.  General  Smith's  command, 
in  conjunction  with  fifteen  vessels  of  the  navy,  tnen 
moved  on  and  took  possession  of  Alexandria,  on  the  18th 
of  the  month,  three  days  after  the  Nineteenth  Army 
Corps  had  started  from  Franklin.  A  few  days  after 
wards,  General  Lee's  cavalry,  of  about  ten  thousand  men, 
comprising  the  advance  of  the  Army  of  the  Gulf,  eirtered 
the  town.  On  the  25th,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  arrived,, 
followed  on  the  next  day  by  the  Thirteenth. 

There  had  now  been  concentrated  at  Alexandria  a  large 
army,  estimated  at  about  forty-five  thousand  men,  includ 
ing  all  branches  of  the  service.  It  was  now  certain  that 
this  formidable  force  was  intended  for  the  occupation  of 
the  Red  River  country  as  far  as  Shreveport,  and  perhaps 
further  into  Texas.  To  what  extent  the  movement  would 
effect  the  rebellion,  was  a  matter  of  considerable  discus 
sion  among  the  men.  It  was  generally  believed  that  the 
Red  River  campaign  was  only  a  feint  to  cover  some 
more  practicable  and  advantageous  movement. 


302  BBCOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

Thus  far  into  the  bowels  of  the  land 
Have  we  march'd  on  without  impediment. 

KING  RICHARD  III. 

The  time  came  for  the  immense  army  to  move.  First, 
the  cavalry,  and  then  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  departed 
from  Alexandria.  Afterwards,  the  Sixteenth  and  Seven 
teenth  Corps  left  upon  a  large  fleet  of  transports,  in  con 
nection  with  the  gunboats.  The  river  was  "  booming," 
and  they  had  no  difficulty  in  passing  the  falls.  Lastly, 
on  the  morning  of  March  28th,  the  Nineteenth  Corps 
was  ordered  to  inarch,  excepting  General  Grover's  com 
mand,  which  was  kept  back  to  garrison  the  town. 

By  9  o'clock  our  men  were  again  upon  the  road.  Se 
vere,  rains  made  the  walking  laborious  indeed,  as  well  as 
delayed  the  immense  supply  train.  Some  twenty  miles 
of  wagons  preceding  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  had  cut  up 
the  roads  to  such  an  extent  that  it  was  almost  impossible 
to  march  upon  them.  Their  course  that  day  was  along 
the  banks  of  Bayou  Rapides,  through  a  fair  cotton-grow 
ing  country.  The  omnipresent  sugar  mill  had  been 
replaced  by  the  cotton  gin.  A  few  fields  of  cane,  howev 
er,  were  observed.  King  Cotton  had  evidently  been  the 
almoner  of  much  wealth,  for  many  fine  and  costly  resi 
dences  were  passed  during,  the  day.  After  a  severe 
march  of  eighteen  miles,  the  army  camped  by  the  -side  of 
the  bayou. 

The  day  following,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  delayed 
by  the  wagon  train,  till  1 1  o'clock,  before  it  started  from 
camp.  Then,  marching  along  at  a  brisk  pace>  the  men 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMJBXT.  303 

soon  discovered  a  singular  and  novel  sight.  It  was  no 
more  nor  less  than  a  well  defined  hill,  rising  out  of  the 
plain,  covered  with  forest,  and  surmounted  by  a  large 
building.  For  a  year  and  a  half  our  boys  had  not  seen  a 
single  feature  of  southern  scenery  that  reminded  them  so 
much  of  their  northern  homes,  as  this  little  hill.  Its  ap 
pearance  was  hailed  by  hearty  cheers.  It  was  called  by 
the  citizens  Henderson's  Bluff.  At  this  place  the  ad 
vance  cavalry  had  a  fight  with  the  enemy,  in  which  the 
latter  was  surprised,  losing  two  hundred  and  fifty  men, 
two  hundred  horse,s  and  four  cannon. 

Lingering  along  at  a  slow  pace  during  a  part  of  the 
afternoon,  our  men  at  last  crossed  the  bayou  on  a  dilapi 
dated  bridge,  and  commenced  to  climb  the  bluff.  Upon 
its  summit  they  entereJ  a  heavy  pine  forest,  situated  up 
on  a  sterile,  rolling  surface.  Wading  through  the  sand 
for  a  few  miles  further,  they  camped  in  a  clearing  close 
by  a  small  log  hut,  having  marched  but  six  miles. 

Although  jjpveille  sounded  early  on  the  morning  of 
March  30th,  yet  it  was  not  till  11  o'clock  that  the  Corps 
commenced  to  move.  The  road  that  day  continued  to 
lead  through  what  is  called  the  "  piney  woods."  A  pe 
culiar  solemnity  pervaded  these  grand  old  forests.  The 
narrow  winding  road  was  rendered  gloomy  by  the  jtfiade 
of  a  dark  green  canopy.  The  wind  forever  moaned 
among  the  tree  tops.  No  underbrush  or  grass  enlivened 
the  scene  beneath.  Nothing  but  tall,  huge,  sombre 
trunks  rose  from  the  white  sand,  like  columns,  to  sustain 
the  dark  pall  overhead.  A  death-like  silence  pervaded 
the  dim  arches.  Even  the  low  conversation  of  the  men 
was  echoed  back  in  melancholy  whispers,  as  if  the  old 
monarchs  of  the  forest  were  moclfing  this  desecration  of 
their  solitude.  After  miles  and  days  of  travel,  the 


304  KECOBD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

scenery  remained  precisely  the  same  as  it  was  when  the 
army  first  entered  the  woods.  Some  very  good  springs 
were  found,  so  that  our  boys  replenished  their  canteens 
with  cool,  clear  water." 

That  day  they  passed  a  ledge  of  sand  stone.  It  was  a 
rare  sig&t  to  see  rocks  in  Louisiana.  The  more  one  trav 
els,  in  this  section,  the  more  he  is  convinced  of  its  geolog 
ical  formation.  It  is  evident  that  most  of  the  State  of 
Louisiana  has  been  built  out  into  the  sea,  by  alluvial  de 
posits  of  the  Mississippi,  and  that  the  region  of  the  pine 
forests  had  at  one  time  been  rocky  and,  sandy  islands,  in 
the  midst  of  the  ocean. 

Being  delayed  by  the  wagon  train,  the  Corps  marched 
but  five  miles,  and  encamped  near  a  small  clearing,  by  a 
fine  stream  of  water. 

March  31st,  the  Corps  started  from  camp  at  7  o'clock. 
After  marching  two  hours  in  the  piney  woods,  it  arrived 
at  Cane  River.  Waiting  some  time  for  the  train  to  cross 
the  stream,  the  men  descended  a  steeg,  rocky  bluff, 
and  proceeding  over  a  pontoon  bridge,  emerged  once 
more  into  an  open,  level,  cultivated  country. 

Cane  River  was  once  the  Red  River.  J3ome  twenty 
years  ago,  the  latter  stream,  taking  a  freak,  forsook  its 
old  channel  for  a  new  one.  Now,  Cane  River  is  nothing 
but  a  dirty,  stagnant  receptacle  for  the  back  water  of  the 
Red  River. 

The  road  for  the  present  lay  along  the  banks  of  Cane 
River.  The  army  was  now  in  the  neighborhood  of  the 
richest  cotton  growing  portion  of  the  South.  There  was, 
however,  but  little  cotton  to  be  seen,  for  at  every  planta 
tion  a  black  and  smouldering  pile  showed  that  the  rebel 
army  in  its  retreat,  was  determined  to  leave  nothjng  that 
could  afford  aid  or  comfort  to  their  enemy.  In  some 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIAtKNT.  o05 

places,  the  wind  had  blown  the  flocculent  material  from 
the  burning  heaps,  before  they  were  consumed,  and  had 
covered  fields,  fences  and  brush  with  cotton,  simulating  a 
coating  of  snow. 

The  march  that  day  was  especially  disagreeable,  from 
the  fact  that  a  high  wind  filled  the  air  with  clouds  of 
dust.  In  the  afternoon  a  quiet,  unattractive  village  wa* 
passed,  called  Cloutierville.  After  tramping  eighteen 
miles,  the  men  camped  at  sundown  upon  the  fields  of  a 
wealthy  planter.  The  inhabitants  in  this  section  appear 
ed  to  be  nearly  all  of  French  extraction,  and  it  was  but 
seldom  that  a  person  could  be  found  who  was  able  to 
converse  with  our  men.  Even  then,  it  was  difficult  to 
drawT  them  into  conversation,  for  they  were  so  thorough 
ly  frightened  at  the  advent  of  the  Yankee  savages,  that 
they  were  almost  speechless.  The  boys  took  great  de 
light  in  witnessing  the  panic  they  had  created  among 
this  ignorant  people. 

April  1st,  the  march  was  resumed  at  7  o'clock.  Imme 
diately  they  crossed  the  river  again,  upon  a  bridge  of  old 
flatboats.  Upon  the  southern  bank  they  waited  for  an 
hour,  for  the  wagons  and  artillery  to  cross  the  stream. 
Again  they  moved  on,  still  following  the  course  of  the 
river.  Without  anything  of  special  interest  occurring, 
the  men  marched  eighteen  miles,  and  camped  upon  a  cot 
ton  field.  A  gin  house  filled  with  loose  cotton  was  near 
at  hand,  that  for  some  reason  had  escaped  the  torch  of 
rebel  incendiaries.  That  night  every  man  slept  upon. a 
soft  bed  of  cotton.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars 
worth  of  this  valuable  staple  was  left  lying  upon  the 
ground,  when  the  men  broke  camp  in  the  morning. 

Continuing  their  inarch,  April  2d,  the  troops  moved 
four  miles  across  fields  and  through  lanes,  thereby  cutting 


BECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

off  a  bend  in  the  road  of  seven  miles.  Presently  they 
came  in  sight  of  the  town  of  Natchitoches,  (pronounced 
N~aek-e-tosh.)  Passing  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  which  was 
encamped  upon  the  south  side  of  the  town,  our  men 
catered  the  place  with  music  and  unfurled  colors. 

Natchitoches  is  a  quaint  old  Spanish  town,  of  about 
two  thousand  inhabitants,  built  when  the  Red  River  was 
flowing  through  the  channel  of  the  present  Cane  River. 
ETow  that  the  river  has  departed  from  its  wharves,  and  the 
days  of  its  commerce  are  gone,  it  has  settled  down  to  be 
only  a  quiet  resort  of  wealth  and  refinement.  With  the 
exception  of  Franklin,  Natchitoches  probably  is  the 
most  beautiful  inland  town  of  the  State.  Although  its 
hnildings  are  of  an  antique  architecture,  yet  they  bear  an 
air  of  neatness  and  elegance.  Unlike  most  southern  vil 
lages,  the  houses  are  all  painted,  and  have  green  blinds. 
Most  of  the  people  live  in  second  stories,  from  which  are" 
constructed  airy  balconies  and  bow  windows.  Back  of 
the  town,  upon  a  gentle  knoll,  is  a  large  and  imposing 
building,  with  spacious  grounds,  used  as  a  convent. 
There  is  here,  also,  a  fine  Cathedral,  the  seat  of  the 
Catholic  Bishop  of  Western  Louisiana.  The  Court 
House  of  the  Parish  of  Natchitoches  is  another  beauti 
ful  edifice.  The  inhabitants  were  well  dressed  and 
intelligent,  very  sociable  with  the  Yankee  invaders,  and 
apparently  not  at  all  terrified  or  dissatisfied  with  the 
occupation  of  the  town  by  the  northern  "  mudsills." 
Among  young  soldiers,  the  most  observable,  feature  of 
the  place  was  the  beauty  of  its  women.  After  our  men 
had  passed  through  the  village,  they  were  halted  and 
went  into  camp  upon  its  northern  edge.  A  portion  of 
the  Regiment  went  on  picket  during  the  night. 

For  three  days  the  entire  army  enjoyed  a  pleasant  rest. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  307 

During  all  this  time,  the  most  active  preparations  were 
being  made  for  a  further  advance.  At  Grand  Ecore,  a 
landing  on  the  Red  River,  four  miles  distant,  a  fleet  of 
transports  were  unloading  supplies  upon  a  wagon  train, 
for  an  inland  campaign.  The  troops  were  also  subjected 
to  a  rigid  inspection. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  5th,  the  Regiment  was  or 
dered  out  into  line,  to  pay  its  respects  to  General 
Banks,  who  was  expected  to  ride  around  among  the 
camps  in  a  short  time.  Presently  he  made  his  appear 
ance,  accompanied  by  Generals  Smith,  Franklin,  Emory 
and  Dwight.  The  customary  salutes  were  given,  togeth 
er  with  three  rousing  cheers. 

On  the  6th  day  of  April,  before  the  sun  had  hardly 
risen  over  the  beautiful  town  of  Natchitoches,  the  men 
marched  out  with  their  bundles  on  their  backs, 
supplied  with  two  days'  rations,  enlivened'  by  the 
music  of  bands,  and  invigorated  by  the  cool  air  of  morn 
ing.  They  little  thought  then,  that  in  a  few  days 
they  would  be  retreating  by  the  same  road.  A  short 
distance  from  town  they  entered  the  piney  woods,  and 
during  the  rest  of  the  journey  towards  Shreveport,  the 
narrow  road  wound  around  among  huge  trees  and  scat 
tered  undergrowth  of  pines,  over  the  rolling  surface  of  a 
sandy,  clayey,  deserted  ."country.  During  this  day  they 
passed  several  little  clearings,  graced  with  the  meanest 
construction  of  log  and  mud  houses.  By  night  they 
came  down  a  little  declivity,  and  bivouaced  on  the  level 
bottom  of  a  small  bayou,  having  marched  fifteen  miles. 

Early  the  next  morning  they  were  again  on  the  road, 
marching  through  a  country  of  the  same  description  as 
that  of  the  day  before,  with  occasionally  some  faint  mark 
of  civilization,  in  the  way  of  fences  and  slab  sheds.  They 


308  RJECORD  OF  THK  ONE  HUNDRED 

passed  a  rebel  camp  of  instruction,  composed  of  some 
half  a  dozen  rough  barracks,  and  a  large  sign  with  this 
inscription  :  "  CamP  J2ou  re  garcV  After  a  march  of 
twenty  miles,  they  came  to  the  village  of  Pleasant  Hill, 
and  bivouaced  near  by.  Pleasant  Hill,  rendered  illustri 
ous  two  days  afterwards  by  a  terrible  battle,  is  a  town  of 
about  twelve  or  fifteen  houses,  situated  on  a  clearing  in 
the  wroods,  of  a  mile  or  so  in  extent,  and  elevated  a  trifle 
above  the  general  level  of  the  surrounding  country. 
That  night,  during  a  rain  storm,  part  of  the  Regiment 
was  ordered  out  on  picket.  It  was  an  extremely  disagree 
able  night,  and  very  dark. 

The  cavalry,  with  several  batteries  of  flying  artillery, 
were  several  miles  in  advance,  and  kept  up  a  continual 
skirmishing,  in  wThich  numbers  wrere  wounded  and  a  few 
killed.  In  the  woods,  about  twelve  miles  before  arriving 
at  Pleasant  Hill,  they  had  quite  a  severe  engagement,  but 
the  enemy  fell  back,  and  pursuit  was  continued.  Just 
before  reaching  the  second  night's  encampment,  there 
was  another  sharp  and  spirited  contest.  The  enemy  was 
dismounted  infantry  or  cavalry,  and  fought  from  behind 
trees.  About  forty  upon  our  side  were  wounded,  inclu 
ding  some  officers,  and  a  few  killed. 

Bright  and  early  on  the  following  morning,  the  Regi 
ment  was  again  tramping  along  the  road,  cheered  with 
the  promise  that  they  were  to  be  marched  only  eight 
miles  that  day.  About  noon  they  came  to  a  clearing, 
where  were  several  buildings  and  a  dilapidated  steam  saw 
mill,  by  the  banks  of  a  small  stream.  Here  they  were 
taken  into  a  corn  field,  arms  were  stacked,  and  prepara 
tions  made  for  a  bivouac. 

Up  to  this  time,  our  men  had  not  fired  a  single  shot 
during  the  campaign.  Yet  from  sounds  ahead,  and  ap- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  IlEGIMEKT.  309 

pearances  along  the  road,  it  was  evident  that  the  advance 
was  continually  fighting  and  driving  the  enemy.  It 
was  the  general  belief  that  the  rebels  were  unable  to 
oppose  our  large  army,  and  in  falling  back  to  Texas,  were 
making  feetfle  efforts  to  annoy  the  onward  march  of  the 
Federals. 


310  KHCORD  OF  THE  ONK 


CHAPTER    XXX.       » 

West  of  the  forest,  scarce! j  off  a  mile, 

In  goodly  fgrm  comes  on  the  enemy : 

And,  by  the  ground  they  hide,  I  judge  their  number. 

Upon,  or  near,  the  rate  of  thirty  thousand. 

KINO  HHMBT  IV. 

The  rest  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  at  Bayou  St.  Patries 
was  short.  Scarcely  were  shelters  pitched,  and  coffee 
boiled,  when  an  order  came,  "  prepare  to  march  within 
ten  minutes,  with  two  days  rations  of  hard  bread." 
Sooner  than  one  can  write  it,  hard  tack  boxes  were  dis 
tributed  along  the  ground,  split  open  with  axes,  their 
contents  stored  away  in  haversacks,  tents  rolled  up  and 
strapped  upon  theJbacks  of  sturdy  men,  and  they  were 
swinging  along  the  dus'ty  road  at  a  tremendous  gait. 

The  sound  of  distant  cannon  that  had  been  heard  dur 
ing  the  day,  had  now  increased  in  volume  to  such  an 
extent  that  every  one  knew  there  was  fighting  in  front. 
Then  how  they  were  marched  !  It  was  at  one  time  a 
double  quick ;  again  it  would  change  to  a  fast  walk,  to 
be  altered  soon  to  a  dead  run ;  while  a  sudden  move 
ment  ahead  would  set  them  all  going  at  a  hop,  skip  and 
jump.  Every  conceivable  pace  was  adopted  in  order 
to  comply  with  oft  repeated  orders,  "  Close  up  !  "  "  Close 
up  ! "  In  such  a  way  seven  miles  were  traversed  in  an 
hour  and  twenty  minutes. 

As  they  drew  near  to  where  the  battle  was  raging,  a 
sight  was  seen  that  baffles  all  description.  The  cavalry 
and  Thirteenth  Corps  were  flying  from  the  field  in  perfect 
rout  and  confusion.  The  rout  of  an  army  is  the  most 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  311 

awful  thing  in  the  world.  A  painful  and  terrible  specta 
cle  !  It  is  a  disorganized  mob  of  screaming,  sobbing, 
hysterical,  pale,  terror-stricken  men.  Let  a  spectator 
once  get  within  range  of  its  magnetic  influence,  and  he, 
too,  will  become  unnerved,  the  blood  will  leave  his 
cheeks,  his  voice  will  tremble,  his  eyes  glare,  and  he 
soon  will  be  likely  to  join  the  yelling  throng.  Amid 
such  exciting  scenes,  our  men  shut  their  eyes  and  ears, 
and  kept  rushing  along  the  road.  Still  thicker  and  dens 
er  came  the  frightened  crowd,  rushing  past  in  every 
possible  manner.  Men  without  hats  or  coats,  men  with 
out  guns  or  accoutrements,  cavalrymen  without  horses, 
and  artillerymen  without  cannon,  wounded  men  bleeding 
and  crying  at  every  step,  men  begrimed  with  smoke  and 
powder — all  in  a  state  of  fear  and  frenzy,  while  they 
shouted  to  our  boys  not  to  go  forward  any  farther,  for 
they  would  all  be  slaughtered.  Our  men  paid  no  atten 
tion  to  the  maddening  appeals,  for  they  knew  they  were 
not  in  very  good  condition  to  give  advice,  but  kept 
crowding  on  as  well  as  they  could,  for  the  road  was  al 
most  blocked  up  with  wagons,  caissons,  mules  and  runa 
way  horses,  while  negro  teamsters  and  cavalrymen  were 
driving  directly  through  the  ranks. 

Suddenly  they  came  near  the  edge  of  a  clearing,  and 
iiling  off  to  the  right  of  the  road,  formed  a  line  of  battle 
along  the  border  of  the  forest,  behind  a  rail  fence.  The 
enemy  was  advancing  in  the  woods  across  the  opening,. 
Time  was  precious — not  a  moment  was  to  be  lost.  The 
One  Hundred  and  Sixty-First  New  York,  Colonel  Kin- 
Bey,  which  by  chance  was  leading  the  Brigade,  was  in 
stantly  thrown  forward  as  skirmishers  upon  the  open  field, 
which  was  between  four  and  five  hundred  yards  deep. 
Rapidly  they  moved  with  fixed  bayonets  to  the  opposite 
wood,  temporarily  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check,  while  the 


312  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

other  Regiments  could  form  in  line  of  battle.  The  First 
Brigade,  General  Dwight,  formed  the  front  line,  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  being  in  the  centre,  the  One 
Hundred  and  Sixteenth  upon  the  right,  the  Twenty-Ninth 
Maine  upon  the  left,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third 
having  been  left  back  to  guard  the  train.  The  Second 
and  Third  Brigades,  commanded  respectively  by  General 
McMillen,  and  Colonel  Benedict  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Sixty-Second  New  York,  formed  on  either  flank,  and 
nearly  at  right  angles  to  the  rear. 

Bullets  were  flying  thick  and  fast,  but  they  did  not 
deter  General  Banks  from  riding  along  the  front,  to  say 
a  ^bw  cheering  words  to  the  men..  "My  brave  men  of 
the  Nineteenth  Corps,"  said  he,  "  stand  your  ground,  and 
we  shall  win  the  day."  General  Emory  also  rode  up, 
and  said,  "  Men,  you  must  hold  this  position  at  all  haz 
ards  ;  before  the  enemy  gets  past  here,  they  must  ride 
over  me  and  my  little  gray  mare." 

Never  can  one  forget  the  determined  yet  anxious 
faces  of  the  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth, 
and  others  of  the  First  Brigade,  as  they  filed  through 
that  narrow  and  well-nigh  obstructed  defile,  and  formed 
in  line  of  battle.  There  was  serious  work  on  hand. 
They  took  their  position  and  kept  it !  They  were  like  a 
stone  wall  that  may  be  battered  down,  but  cannot  be 
moved. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Sixty-First,  by  their  bold  move 
ment,  fortunately  held  the  enemy  in  check  for  about 
twenty  minutes,  while  the  Division  formed  in  line  of  bat 
tle.  But  when  the  surprise  was  over,  they  were  com 
pelled  by  overpowering  numbers  to  fall  back,  being 
terribly  cut  up.* 

*  Captain  George  M.  Tillson,  of  this  Regiment,  a  resident  of  Chenango  County, 
while  kneeling  behind  a  fence  with  his  command,  at  the  edge  of  the  opposite 
wooar  received  a  wound  which  resulted  in  the  low  of  his  right  arm. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  31 8 

Our  men  lay  flat  upon  the  ground,  while  the  fugitives 
and  skirmishers  passed  to  the  rear,  to  wait  for  the 
appearance  of  the  enemy  in  force.  The  increased  fire 
from  the  front  indicated  that  the  rebels  were  rapidly  ap 
proaching,  yet  our  men  with  much  difficulty  were 
restrained  from  firing,  for  fear  of  injury  to  friends. 

Presently,  a  long  line  of  rebel  infantry  came  out  in  full 
view,  directly  in  front.  The  over-confident  and  undaunt 
ed  enemy,  flushed  with  the  excitement  of  victory,  ad 
vanced  exultingly  forward,  not  knowing  that  concealed 
behind  that  fence  steady  arms  and  cool  eyes  aimed 
many  a  muzzle  at  their  breasts.  Every  minute  seemed 
an  age.  Nearer  and  nearer  they  came,  when  the  order 
was  given,  and  one  terrific,  blinding,  stunning  crash  of 
fire  sent  many  a  man  to  the  dust. 

The  rebels  were  appalled.  They  reeled  and  staggered, 
their  lines  quivered  for  a  moment,  and  then  they  fled  in 
discomfiture  to  the  woods.  Again  the  maddened  and 
desperate  foe  came  up  in  line  after  line,  to  be  cut  down 
like  grass  before  the  mower's  scythe.  For  every  one 
killed,  two  stepped  forward  to  take  his  place.  Our  men 
loaded  and  fired  with  such  rapidity,  that  it  seemed  not 
like  the  usual  tremulous  rattling  of  musketry,  but  like 
one  continuous  explosion.  Such  discharges  from  such 
rifles  would  check  a  stronger  rebel  force  than  this.  The 
musketry  of  Champion  Hill  and  Shiloh  did  not  exceed 
that  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads. 

Again  the  enemy  halted,  wavered,  and  fell  back.  Al 
though  thoroughly  abashed,  yet,  recovering  a  little  from 
the  shock,  he  was  still  unwilling  to  yield  the  contest. 
Presently,  the  simultaneous  roar  of  musketry  on  both  the 
right  and  left,  showed  that  the  rebels  were  trying  to  flank 
the  position.  How  anxiously  our  men  hoped  that  the 


314  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Second  and  Third  Brigades  would  also  hold  their  ground, 
now  that  their  time  of  trial  had  come.  But  one  Regi 
ment  broke — the  Forty-Seventh  Pennsylvania,  nearly  a 
thousand  strong,  in  the  Second  Brigade ;  but  the  veter 
ans  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  and  One  Hundred 
and  Sixtieth  New  Y<Jrk  were  equal  to  the  emergency,  and 
closed  the  breach.  The  bullets  hissed  over  the  Regiment, 
and  did  but  little  harm.  The  men  knew  from  the  sound? 
that  the  enemy  had  been  repulsed  in  both  attacks.  They 
were  overjoyed  at  the  unexpected  and  glorious  results. 
They  jumped  up,  flung  their  caps  in  the  air,  and  indulg 
ed  in  boisterous  shouts. 

In  the  midst  of  the  engagement,  Colonel  Morse  was 
severely  wounded,  and  Major  Curtis  took  command. 

Thus  ended  the  battle  of  SABINE  CROSS  ROADS.  Night 
had  now  covered  this  awful  scene  with  her  sable  veil, 
and  with  the  exception  of  a  little  skirmishing,  and  an  oc 
casional  report  of  a  rifle  in  the  distance,  all  was  quiet. 
The  combatants  laid  down  to  rest ;  but  not  so  the  wound 
ed.  All  over  the  field  came  up  the  wailing  cries  and 
shrieks  of  wounded  and  dying  men,  with  no  one  to  give 
them  a  drop  of  water  or  a  word  of  comfort. 

"  The  sentinel  stars  set  their  watch  in  the  sky, 
And  thousands  sank  down  on  the  ground  overpowered, 
The  weary  to  sleep,  the  wounded  to  die." 

The  bewailings  of  the  men  of  Louisiana,  Texas,  Mis 
souri  and  Arkansas,  imploring  for  help,  mingled  and 
ascended  with  the  piteous  supplications  of  the  sons  of 
New  England,  New  *York  and  the  West.  From  each 
and  from  all  indiscriminately  was  heard  the  mournful  and 
repeated  cry  :  "  Come  and  get  me !"  "  Come  and  help 
me!"  "Oh,  my  dear  mother,  come  and  relieve  me!'* 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  316 

**  I  am  faint !"  u  1  am  thirsty !"  "  I  am  cold  !"  "  I  am 
dying  !"  It  was  too  much  for  human  ears  to  hear,  and 
hearts  other  than  steel  to  endure.  Insurgents  met  in 
arms  brothers  loyal  to  the  Union,  and  perchance  died 
friends. 

The  men  were  not  allowed  to  slumber,  and  in  their 
wakefulness  they  could  distinctly  hear  the  movement  of 
army  wagons,  the  rumbling  of  artillery,  and  the  roll  call 
of  the  enemy,  which  the  clear  air  of  that  terrible  night 
wafted  from  the  opposite  wood. 

Shortly  after  dark,  a  body  of  mounted  men,  among 
whom  were  General  Mouton  and  staff,  rode  up  to  the 
front,  and  to  within  a  few  rods  of  our  lines,  mistaking 
the  cheers  of  the  Federals  as  their  signal  of  success. 
Our  men,  perceiving  that  they  were  "  gray  backs,"  with 
leveled  muskets  ordered  them  in.  They  discovered,  but 
when  too  late,  how  fatally  they  had  blundered.  Instant 
ly  wheeling,  they  started  off,  when  a  well  directed  volley 
brought  horses  and  riders  to  the  ground.  Every  saddle 
was  emptied,  and  some  fifteen  dead  rebels  left  upon  the 
field.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  boys  take  to 
themselves  much  credit  for  doing  this  nice  little  job,  and 
especially  for  dispatching  Mouton,  who,  as  it  was  subse 
quently  ascertained,  had  seven  bullet-holes  through  his 
body. 

Leaving  the  men  lying  upon  the  ground,  awaiting  fur 
ther  orders,  let  us  digress  for  a  moment,  and  revert 
to  the  commencement  of  the  fight,  or  the  scenes  and 
events  of  the  morning.  The  battle  commenced,  or  an 
obstinate  and  determined  stand  wai^made  by  the  enemy, 
about  10  A.  M.,  at  or  near  Mansfield,  a  small  town  about 
three  miles  in  advance  of  the  clearing  already  described. 
The  advance  cavalry,  it  appears,  drove  in  the  pickets  and 

21 


316  RECORD  OF  THE  OKB  HUNDRED 

out-posts  of  the  enemy  to  this  point,  where  the  rebel 
army  was  massed,  prepared  and  waiting  to  receive  them. 
The  wily  foe  had  retreated  thus  far  to  a  point  where  the 
roads  diverge  to  Texas,  with  just  sufficient  resistance  to 
excite  the  over-zealous,  and  lead  the  unwary  on.  Beyond 
this,  every  inch  was  to  be  contested.  The  cavalry  was 
led  into  a  snare,  overpowered,  flanked,  captured  or  driven 
back  in  confusion.  Hotly  pursued  by  the  enemy,  they 
for  a  little  time  kept  up  the  fight,  supporting  the  artil 
lery.  Cannon  in  the  wood  cannot  be  well  and  effectually 
handled,  and  are  not  of  much  service.  Artillerymen 
were  repulsed,  or  with  their  guns  and  horses  captured. 

The  Thirteenth  Corps,  consisting  of  two  Divisions,  the 
Third  and  Fourth,  scarcely  four  thousand  five  hundred 
effective  men,  under  General  Ransom,  was  next  ordered 
into  the  engagement.  It  went  in  by  detail,  and  was 
whipped  by  detail. 

The  Fourth  Division,  numbering  some  two  thousand 
men,  was  the  first  to  receive  the  shock  of  battle.  It  held 
the  ground  from  twenty  minutes  to  half  an  hour,  and  lost 
in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,  eleven  hundred  and 
thirty-six  men. 

The  Third  Division  went  in  with  nearly  the  same  num 
ber,  and  in  about  twenty  minutes  lost  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing,  three  hundred  and  fifty.  The  men  of 
the  Thirteenth  Corps  fought  with  desperation  a  rebel 
force  outnumbering  them  five  to  one,  besides  having  a 
thorough  knowledge  of  the  surroundings,  and  the  advan 
tage  of  position. 

Here  was  another  exemplification  of  the  folly  so  prev 
alent  in  the  early  part  of  the  war,  of  throwing  fragments 
against  masses.  The  enemy  took  from  us  Nim's  Battery, 
several  pieces  of  the  Chicago  Mercantile  Battery,  a  part 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMBHT.  317 

of  the  First  Indiana  and  the  Twelfth  Regular  Batteries — 
in  all,  some  twenty  guns.  He  captured,  also,  a  large 
portion  of  the  Cavalry  supply  train,  which  improvidently 
had  been  crowded  to  the  front,  a  large  quantity  of  am 
munition,  with  a  number  of  hospital  wagons  and  ambu 
lances  belonging  to  the  Thirteenth  Army  Corps.  It  was 
a  complete  rout — a  perfect  stampede. 

At  this  opportune  moment,  (it  would  have  been  more 
fortunate  had  it  Been  a  few  hours  earlier,)  the  First  Divis 
ion  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  Bunder  circumstances  the 
most  trying  and  forbidding,  took  the  field  of  disastrous 
conflict. 

How  well  it  performed  its  part,  thereby  saving  the 
battle,  and  the  army,  the  reader  already  knows.  The 
highest  compliments  of  commanding  officers  have  been 
bestowed  upon  them.  General  Banks,  in  his  official  re 
port  of  this  campaign,  said :  "  The  First  Division  of 
the  Nineteenth  Corps,  by  its  great  bravery  in  this  action^ 
saved  the  army  and  navy" 

General  Franklin,  in  his  testimony  before  the  Commit 
tee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,  stated  that  "  the  enemy 
were  decidedly  repulsed  in  this  attack,  and  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  behaved  exceedingly 
well" 

From  the  official  report  of  Major  Curtis,  commanding 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  the  following  extract 
ia  taken : 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  entered  this  battle  with  eight 
een  (18)  commissioned  officers,  and  three  hundred  and  seventy-one 
(371)  enlisted  men,  as  its  effective  strength.  Its  casualties  in  the  en 
gagement  were  as  follows,  viz : 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Henry  B.  Morse,  right  arm,  severe. 

First  Lieutenant  Norman  M.  Lewis,  Company  C,  right  arm,  flesh. 

First  Lieutenant  Edwin  0.  Gibson,  Company  D,  leg,  slight. 


318  RECORD  OF  THE  «tfE  HUNDRED 

Private  Charles  Adams,  Company  B,  thigh,  severe ;  Privates  Solo- 
anon  White,  Company  C,  face,  severe ;  John  Hanrahan,  Company  C, 
iace,  severe ;  Corporal  Edward  Lewis,  Company  D,  head,  slight ;  Pri 
vate  Joseph  Smith,  Company  E,  thigh,  severe  ;*  Corporal  Eugene  M. 
Utley,  Company  F,  head,  slight;  Private  James  A.  Locke,  Company 
1^  breast,  severe,  left  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,* 
*  Died  from  rounds. 


AHD  FOURTEENTH  BEGIMElfT. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

Let  them  come ; 

They  come  like  sacrifices  in  their  trim, 
And  to  the  fire-ey'd  maid  of  smoky  war, 
All  hot  and  bleeding,  will  we  offer  them. 

KING  HKHRT  IV. 

God,  and  your  arms,  be  prale'd,  victorious  friends : 
The  day  is  ours. 

KlKO  RlOHAKD  III. 

After  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads  had  ended,  the 
troops  were  directed  to  remain  upon  the  ground  they  had 
held  so  well  during  the  day,  and  to  keep  wide  awake  and 
alert,  for  fear  of  a  night  attack  by  the  enemy.  Under 
cover  of  night,  all  lights  and  fires  near  the  front  lines 
being  extinguished,  the  wounded  as  far  as  possible  were 
removed  from  the  field  to  the  rear.  To  guard  against 
surprise,  a  small  picket  force  was  thrown  a  short  distance 
in  front.  Ambulances  and  trains  of  all  kinds  returned  to 
Pleasant  Hill.  The  First  Division  lay  quietly  upon  their 
arms  till  near  midnight.  Then  an  order  was  whispered 
through  the  lines,  when  the  men  quietly  jumped  up  and 
silently  left  the  ground.  It  was  a  great  relief  to  them  to 
get  away  from  the  horrible  sounds  of  that  bloody  field. 

Tramp,  tramp,  all  night  long  beneath  the  gloomy 
pines,  on  the  road  again  to  Pleasant  Hill.  The  men 
were  so  worn  with  fatigue  that  they  showed  no  disposi 
tion  to  talk,  but  urged  forward  their  stiffened  limbs  m 
perfect  silence.  Many  in  the  darkness  fell  out  by  the 
way,  and  were  taken  prisoners. 

With  the  first  streak  of  day,  their  ears  were  greeted 
with  the  rapid  explosion  Of  artillery  in  their  rear,  which 

I 


320  KBCOBD  OF  THE  ONE 

echoed  and  rolled  through  the  dim  forest.  The  men 
awoke  from  their  lethargy,  to  ask  the  question,  u  What 
does  all  that  mean  ?"  A  moment's  reflection  convinced 
all  that  the  enemy  had  renewed  the  battle  by  shelling 
their  late  position  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads.  It  excited 
much  merriment  in  the  ranks,  and  called  forth  shouts  like 
these :  w1.}  i- 

"  Johnny  Reb,  you  are  fooled  this  time !" 
"  How  many  Yanks  you  s'pose  you  are  killing  now  ?" 
"  Oh,  that's  a  beautiful  waste  of  ammunition  !" 
The  firing  continued  but  a  short  time.     They  had  dis 
covered  the  retreat  of  our  army,  and  were  now  pursuing. 
The  First  Brigade  covered  the  retreat,  yet  they  were 
not  disturbed  till  just  as  they  were  coming  out  of  the 
forest  on  the  plains  of  Pleasant  Hill.     It  was  only  a  little 
skirmish  of  a  few  rebel  cavalry,  and  was  soon  over.    Our 
men  shortly  got  into  position  for  battle,  and  then  had  a 
little  time  to  boil  their  coffee  and  eat  their  hard  tack. 
This   was  the   chosen   spot   where   General  Banks  had 
decided  to  re-open  the  engagement.     Selecting  his  own 
ground,   he   was  [confident   of  success.     Here,  the  Thir 
teenth  Corps,  as  far  as  possible,  was  reorganized,  and  the 
Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  having  arrived  from  the 
transports,  the  entire  army  was  united. 

Now,  everything  was  in  a  state  of  intense  activity. 
Staff  officers  were  flying  hither  and  thither,  carrying  or 
ders  ;  orderlies  were  galloping  around  with  bundles  of 
papers  under  their  sabre  belts.  The  Generals  were  either 
grouped  together  in  close  conversation,  or  riding  up  and 
down  their  lines,  examining  the  ground  and  the  troops. 
Squads  of  cavalrymen  and  lines  of  infantry  were  passing 
to  and  fro,  their  gay  flags  glittering  in  the  sunlight. 

By  mid-day,  the  most  careful  preparations  had   been 
made  for  the  coming  onset.     Our  men  did  but  little  dur- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.-  321 

ing  the  heat  of  the  day,  only  several  times  alter  their 
position,  while  the  enemy  was  feeling  the  lines  with  some 
pretty  sharp  skirmishing.  There  were  no  signs  of  any 
engagement,  save  the  slow  shelling  of  the  woods,  and  a 
stray  shot  from  some  impetuous  picket.  The  men  kept 
close  in  the  lines,  by  their  guns,,  some  lying  down,  some 
dozing,  others  eating  the  remnants  of  yesterday's  ration, 
but  all  were  ready  to  spring  into  action  when  the  signal 
should  be  given. 

The  formation  of  the  army  in  general  terms  was  as 
follows:  The  First  Division  Nineteenth  Corps  formed 
the  advance  line,  its  Brigades  being  placed  from  right  to 
left,  in  order  of  their  numbers.  The  Sixteenth  and  Sev 
enteenth  Corps  formed  parallel  lines  in  the  rear,  an 
reserves.  The  Thirteenth  was  in  charge  of  the  wagon 
train  several  miles  back. 

About  3  o'clock,  the  slow  and  continuous  picket  firing 
which  had  been  heard  during  the  day,  gradually  increas 
ed  in  rapidity  and  spitefulness.  Away  around  from  the 
right  to  the  left,  the  crackling  of  rifles  became  more  and 
more  frequent.  The  storm  was  gathering,  and  was  about 
to  burst.  A  few  pieces  of  artillery  now  added  to  the  up 
roar,  and  a  few  shells  passed  over  in  close  proximity  to 
the  heads  of  the  men. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  stationed  in  the 
woods,  close  by  a  ravine,  at  the  time  the  battle  opened, 
but  was  immediately  ordered  up  away  from  the  Brigade, 
far  in  advance,  and  posted  close  by  the  main  road,  in  a 
dense  thicket  of  bushy  pines.  General  Dwight  then  rode 
up  and  told  them  they  were  expected  to  hold  the  road 
against  all  attacks. 

Bullets  and  shells  were  now  whistling  over  them  in 
such  close  proximity,  that  the  men  prudently  arranged 
themselves  behind  the  huge  trunks  of  several  fallen  pine 


322  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

trees  that  happened  to  lie  near,  and  watch  for  future 
events.  They  were  wise,  for  soon  they  had  to  receive  a 
galling  fire  from  three  sides,  and  those  big  logs  saved  the 
lives  of  perhaps  one-third  of  the  Regiment.  They 
hugged  the  ground  while  a  seething  deluge  of  missiles 
poured  over.  The  enemy  were  making  a  charge,  as  our 
men  judged  from  the  sharp,  shrill  screams,  so  well  known 
as  the  rebel  battle  yell.  They  could  see  but  little  through 
the  bushes,  but  the  sounds  that  came  to  their  ears  were 
of  the  most  exciting  character.  The  roar  of  innumerable 
cannon,  the  sharp  twang  of  bursting  shell,  the  screaming 
of  grape  and  canister,  the  incessant  rolling  of  musketry, 
the  cheers  of  long  lines  of  charging  columns,  and  the 
groans  and  shrieks  of  the  wounde^d,  all  conspired  to  make 
it  a  time  of  grand  and  solemn  interest.  They  saw  the 
clay-colored  rebels  pass  by  on  the  left,  running  along  in  a 
skulking  manner,  loading  and  firing  at  the  same  time. 
The  Regiment  fired  not  a  shot,  but  kept  quiet  in  its  place 
of  concealment,  its  duty  being  only  to  hold  the  road. 

It  was  hard  to  appreciate  the  fact  that  the  brave  First 
Division  was  compelled  to  give  way  before  the  impetuous 
charge  of  the  enemy.  Two  Regiments  came  sweeping 
by  on  the  right  of  the  thicket  where  our  Regiment  lay, 
very  much  disordered,  bearing  off  many  wounded. 
The  officers  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  jumped 
forth  from  the  copse,  and  with  sword  in  hand  attempted 
to  stop  the  fleeing  mass.  They  shouted  : 

"  Come,  boys,  don't  run  any  further ;  here's  a  Regi 
ment  right  in  here  that  will  support  you." 

"  Stop  where  you  are  !  What's  the  use  of  making  cow 
ards  of  yourselves  ?" 

"  Are  you  going  to  leave  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  all  alone  out  here  ?" 

"  You  will  be  ashamed  of  this  when  the  fight  is  over." 


AITD  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMKNT.  323 

Their  efforts  upon  the  first  Regiment  proved  of  no 
avail,  for  the  men  only  looked  sulkily  around,  and  ran  out 
of  sight.  By  the  second  Regiment  their  appeals  were 
heeded.  Men  in  .squads  stopped,  and  avowed  they  would 
go  no  farther.  Their  own  officers  joined  in  with  those  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  and  attempted  to  re 
store  order.  Their  Colonel  cried  out,  "  Plant  your  colors, 
boys,  and  rally  around  them."  Many  of  the  men  re 
sponded,  "  That's  right ;  we'll  stand  by  the  flag,  and  not 
be  disgraced  after  all." 

With  admirable  courage  they  rallied  close  together, 
and  with  a  yell  rushed  forward  on  another  charge.  Sim 
ultaneously  with  this  movement,  a  heavy,  deep  wail  of 
musketry  broke  out  throughout  the  whole  army.  Then 
our  men  knew  that  the  First  Division  and  General 
Smith's  command  had  united  to  decide  the  fate  of  the  day 
by  a  grand  charge.  Thoy  saw  the  rebel  line  flee  before 
the  volleys  of  our  troops.  How  joyfully  they  heard  the 
good  old  Yankee  cheers  of  victory,  as  they  were  caught 
up  by  one  Regiment  after  another,  till  they  were  almost 
lost  in  the  distance.  Yet  they  had  not  quite  finished  the 
battle  in  their  part  of  the^field.  A  number  of  bush 
whackers  still  held  a  position  in  the  woods  close  by,  and 
for  half  an  hour  kept  up  a  galling  fire.  The  One  Hun 
dred  and  Sixteenth  New  York  returned  this  fire  with 
interest,  but  were,  at  length  compelled  to  fall  back  for 
want  of  ammunition.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
was  ordered  to  run  out  to  take  its  place,  but  did  not  reach 
the  spot  before  a  cavalry  charge  had  drove  them  away 
and  ended  the  battle. 

The  last  rays  of  twilight  were  now  glimmering  upon 
the  tree  tops.  The  men  were  then  placed  in  position, 
and  ordered  to  be  prepared  for  a  night  attack.  The  pre- 


324  RECORD  OF  TUB  ONK  HUNDRED 

caution  was  unnecessary,  as  our  men  were  still  pursuing 
the  routed  enemy.  A  chilly  fog  settled  down  upon  that 
dreadful  field,  and  the  air  was  oppressed  with  the  sul 
phurous  smoke  of  powder. 

As  the  men  lay  upon  the  ground  in  line  of  battle, 
watching  for  rebels,  they  were  more  than  ever  impressed 
with  the  horrors  that  accompany  war.  There,  in  the 
stillness  and  solemnity  of  night,  sobered  from  the  excite 
ment  of  battle,  they  saw  sights  and  heard  sounds  that  will 
always  remain  in  their  memories  so  long  as  they  shall 
live.  All  around  lay  the  dead  and  wounded.  The  air 
was  filled  with  groans,  and  shrieks,  and  delirious  yells. 
Such  touching  appeals  for  pity ;  such  earnest  prayers ; 
such  tender  references  to  home  and  friends,  from  dying 
lips ;  such  agonizing  groans  of  pain ;  such  maddening 
curses  and  blasphemies,  were  all  enough  to  test  the  pow 
er  of  human  endurance  to  the  utmost. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  evening,  General  Banks  rode 
near  the  lines,  and  stopped  a  moment  to  gaze  upon  the 
prostrate  forms  of  our  weary  boys.  In  a  manner  betray 
ing  great  emotion,  he  merely  uttered,  "  Brave  men — 
brave  men,"  and  thoughtfully  rode  out  of  sight. 

The  battle  of  Pleasant  Hill  was  more  severe  in  its 
character  than  the  contest  of  the  day  before,  since  the 
whole  army — all  its  Divisions,  Brigades  and  Regiments — 
were  engaged.  It  was  a  close  hand-to-hand  contest,  in 
which  artillery  could  be  but  little  used.  It  was  in  fact  a 
succession  of  charges  arid  counter-charges.  No  realizing 
description  can  be  given  of  the  carnage  and  slaughter. 
The  whole  number  of  killed  and  wounded  on  either  side 
has  never  been  published,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  writer. 
The  loss  in  the  First  Division,  in  both  days'  engage 
ments,  was  about  six  hundred.  The  casualties  of  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  325 

One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  were  as  follows  :  Luman 
Bentley,  Company  A,  killed ;  Elmore  Sharp,  Company  Ay 
wounded,  side,  slight;  James  Sherwood,  Company  C, 
face,  slight ;  H.  I.  Crumb,  Company  D,  head,  slight ; 
Corporal  E.  G.  Wilmarth,  Company  I,  killed ;  Corporal 
Elbert  Wedge,  Company  I,  hip,  slight ;  Corporal  Lucian 
F.  Barnard,  Company  K,  killed ;  Corporal  J.  Q.  Perry, 
Company  I,  face,  slight. 

A  glorious  victory  had  been  achieved.  The  disgrace 
of  the  previous  day  had  been  wiped  out.  The  losses  and 
labors  of  the  past  were  forgotten  in  the  present  grand 
result.  .Daylight  was  anxiously  waited  for,  when  the 
men  could  pursue  the  flying  foe,  and  reap  the  more  sub 
stantial  fruits  of  victory.  What  was  their  disappoint 
ment,  when  at  midnight  the  order  was  given  to  jump  up, 
fall  in,  and  commence  a  retreat.  Thus,  while  the  enemy 
was  fleeing  in  utter  demoralization  in  one  direction,  the 
conquerors  were  flying  in  another. 

"  Both  tugging-  to  be  victors,  breast  to  breast, 
Yet  neither  conquerer  nor  conquered  ; 
So  is  the  equal  poize  of  the  fell  war." 

Notwithstanding  the  mortification  of  our  boys,  a  little 
deliberation  convinced  them  that  it  was  the  only  safe 
course  to  be  pursued.  Their  empty  haversacks  and 
gnawing  stomachs  were  proof  sufficient  that  the  army 
was  out  of  provisions.  Their  cartridge  boxes  were  alsa 
light.  In  a  little  while  every  one  felt  satisfied  in  march 
ing  back  towards  the  river.  Moving  a  short  distance 
from  the  battle  ground,  the  Regiment  was  halted,  the 
ranks  opened,  and  seven  hundred  rebel  prisoners  marched 
between  the  files. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  night,  and  throughout  the 
next  day,  the  10th  of  April,  the  Regiment  toiled  on,, 
marching  and  guarding  prisoners  at  the  same  time.  On 


326  KKCORD  OF  THE  ONE  ITTJNDKKP 

the  evening  of  the  latter  day  they  encamped  near  a  small 
bayou,  on  the  place  where  they  reste^.  in  their  forward 
movement.  They  were  relieved  of  the  care  of  the  pris 
oners,  and  a  small  ration  issued  to  the  starving  men. 
They  were  too  tired  to  eat.  Falling  upon  the  ground, 
In  a  few  moments  every  man  was  in  a  deep  slumber. 
Three  days  and  nights  had  passed  witiiou^  a  moment  of 
repose,  while  they  had  marched  over  fifty  miles,  and 
fought  two  severe  battles,  with  nothing  to  sustain  their 
systems  and  appease  the  gnawings  of  hunger,  except  a 
few  hard  tack.  Their  powers  of  endurance  had  never  be 
fore  been  so  severely  tested.  Yet  sleep  was  what  they 
most  needed,  and  w^hen  the  morning  found  them  rested, 
they  devoured  large  quantities  of  raw  pork  and  hard 
bread. 

The  llth  of  April,  the  army  continued  it$  retreat. 
When  near  the  town  of  Natchitoches,  the  troops  turned 
to  near  the  left  of  the  main  road,  and  at  4  o'clock  came 
to  the  banks  of  Red  River,  at  a  little  village  called 
Grand  Ecore.  A  large  fleet  of  gunboats  guarded  the 
town,  and  numbers  of  transports,  loaded  with  provisions, 
were  lying  at  the  landing.  In  a  short  time,  the  wagon 
trains  were  parked  near  the  river  bank,  and  the  Regi 
ments  were  assigned  camping  grounds  in  the  forest  to 
the  rear  of  the  village.  The  boys,  overjoyed  at  the  pros 
pect  of  rest  before  them,  commenced  to  sing  to  the  air  of 
;a  familiar  army  tune : 

"  In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four, 

Foot  balls,  foot  balls  ; 
In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four, 

Foot  balls,  says  I ; 
In  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-four, 
We  all  skedaddled  to  Grand  Ecore. 

We'll  all  drink  stone  blind, 

Johnny,  fill  up  the  bowl  !  " 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  321 


CHAPTEH    XXX  II. 

Rebellion  iu  this  land  ehall  lose  his  sway, 
Meeting  the  check  of  such  another  day. 

KINO  HBNEY  IV. 

Grand  Ecore  is  a  settlement  of  some  eight  or  tei* 
houses,  situated  upon  a  high  bluff  on  a  bend  of  Red 
River.  It  is  the  landing  of  the  larger  town  of  Xatchi- 
toches,  some  four  miles  distant.  In  its  position  and  gen 
eral  appearance,  Grand  Ecore  is  precisely  similar  to  Port 
Hudson,  and  is  equally  as  strong  for  defensive  operations,. 

Immediately  upon  the  arrival  of  our  army  at  this- 
place,  the.  engineers  employed  themselves  in  planning  and 
constructing  a  line  of  entrenchments.  Heavy  details  of 
workmen  were  taken  from  each  Regimentf,  to  engage  in. 
this  undertaking.  It  was  surprising  to  see  how  rapidly 
our  men  could  build  a  line  of  etfective  breastworks,  con 
forming  to  the  old  adage  that  "  many  hands  make  light 
Avork."  In  a  few  days  a  formidable  series  .of  log  works 
encircled  the  army  on  the  land  side,  reaching  from  river 
bank  upon  one  side  to  river  bank  upon  the  other,  a  dis 
tance  of  two  miles.  In  front  of  this  line,  a  wide  slashing 
had  been  made  through  the  forest,  as  though  an  immense 
mowing  machine  had  cut  a  swarth  through  the  dense 
timber.  At  the  extremities  of  this  opening, » gunboats 
were  stationed,  which  were  thereby  enabled  to  rake 
through  its  whole  length. 

Luckily  the  enemy  had  not  recovered  from  his  severe 
drubbing  at  Pleasant  Hill,  in  time  to  follow  the  army 
before  it  had  established  itself  in  this  impregnable 


328  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

position.  .  Then  he  showed  nq  inclination  to  renew  the 
fight,  but  paid  more  particular  attention  to  the  fleet  of 
gunboats,  which  had  not  yet  returned  from  up  the  river. 

On  the  next  day  after  the  arrival  of  the  army,  heavy 
cannonading  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Compti,  a 
place  some  ten  miles  above  Grand  Ecore.  Serious  ap 
prehensions  were  felt  for  the  safety  of  the  fleet,  but  in 
the  afternoon  they  arrived  unharmed,  with  the  exception 
of  one  gunboat,  which  had  got  so  hard  aground  that  her 
crew  were  obliged  to  abandon  her,  and  blow  her  up. 
They  reported  having  been  attacked  by  a  large  body  of 
rebels,  who  were  easily  repulsed,  leaving  great  numbers 
of  dead  and  wounded  behind  them,  among  whom  was 
General  Green. 

The  same  evening,  the  Regiments  of  the  First  Brigade 
were  drawn  up  in  line  before  their  camps,  to  listen  to 
some  remarks  General  Dwight  proposed  to  make.  After 
waiting  a  little  time,  the  General,  accompanied  by  his 
staff,  rode  up  to  the  camp  of  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth.  When  opposite  the  colors  of  the  Regiment, 
he  removed  his  hat  and  spoke  substantially  as  follows : 

"  Soldiers  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New  York :  I  have 
sought  this  opportunity  to  express  to  you  my  thanks  for  the  bravery 
you  exhibited  at  the  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  when  you  held 
your  position  so  securely,  and  saved  the  army  from  destruction.  I 
compliment  you  also  upon  your  coolness  and  courage  at  the  battle  of 
Pleasant  Hill,  when  you  were  surrounded  by  the  enemy.  You  have 
proved  yourselves  worthy  of  the  name  of  the  soldiers  of  General 
"Weitzel,  from  whom  nothing  but  good  conduct  was  expected.  You 
have  done  your  duty,  and  shall  receive  the  gratitude  of  the  country. 
Again  I  tender  you  my  thanks." 

The  men  responded  to  the  speech  with  three  hearty 
cheers  and  a  tiger,  when  they  dispersed  to  their  quarters. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  329 

The  same  evening  the  following  complimentary  order  was 
received  from  General  Emory  : 

HEADQUARTKRS  IST  DIVISION,  19xa  ARMY  CORPS,  { 

GRAND  ECORK,  La.,  April  12,  1862. 
GENERAL  DRIVERS  No.  13. 

The  General  Commanding  thinks  it  due  to  the  officers  and  soldier? 
of  this  Division,  to  express  to  them  his  high  appreciation  of  their 
gallantry  and  their  efficient  services  in  checking  the  advance  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  evening  of  the  eighth  inst.,  and  aiding  in  his  defeat  on 
the  ninth. 

By  command  of  Brigadier  General  EMORY. 

DUNCAN  S.  WALKER,  A.  A.  General. 

At  this  time,  General  D wight  was  appointed  Chief-of- 
Staff  to  General  Banks,  an%  Colonel  George  L.  Beal,  of 
the  Twenty-Ninth  Maine,  (afterwards  Brigadier  General,) 
succeeded  him  in  command  of  the  First  Brigade. 

Frequently,  flags  of  truce  came  down  from  the  enemy, 
for  the  most  part  on  business  relating  to  wounded  prison 
ers.  On  one  occasison,  though,  he  made  use  of  the  truce 
to  indulge  in  a  little  facetiae.  It  was  rumored  that  Gen 
eral  Dick  Taylor  informed  General  Banks,  that  among 
the  property  captured  was  a  large  stock  of  paper  collars. 
He  said  that  his  men  had  baked  them,  boiled  them,  fried 
them  and  stewed  them,  and  found  that  they  jjwere  of  no 
use  to  him,  and  he  would  like  to  exchange  them  for  hard 
bread. 

Ten  days  the  army  remained  at  Grand  Ecore,  employ 
ed  in  camp  duties,  loading  and  unloading  vessels,  building 
breastworks,  picket  duty,  eating  and  sleeping.  It  was 
the  opinion  among  the  soldiers,  as  well  as  the  intention 
of  General  Banks,  that  the  army  would  make  another 
forward  movement  as  soon  as  it  had  been  sufficiently  re 
cruited.  But  when  the  riv^er  kept  falling  lower  and 
lower,  so  that  some  of  the  boats  were  already  aground. 


330  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

and  when  the  news  was  confirmed  that  the  whole  rebel 
force  had  passed  around  to  the  rear  of  the  Union  army, 
every  one  perceived  that  the  only  alternative  for  safety 
was  to  give  up  the  campaign,  and  abandon  the  country. 

April  19th,  the  order  was  received  to  be  ready  to 
march  on  the  morning  of  the  following  day,  with  three 
days'  rations.  At  the  appointed  time,  tents  were  struck, 
and  everything  made  ready  for  an  instant  movement. 

All  day  long  the  men  lay  around  under  shade  of  trees, 
awaiting  the  order  to  start.  When  night  came  they 
built  fires,  and  disposed  themselves  for  sleep.  The  morn 
ing  of  the  20th  found  them  lingering  at  Grand  Ecore. 
Still  another  day  passed,  and  darkness  once  more  invited 
them  to  rest.  At  10  o'clock  p.  M.  the  long  delayed  order 
arrived,  and  the  men  were  aroused  and  started  off  upon 
another  tramp.  The  movement  was  intended  to  be  a 
secret  one ;  but  either  rebel  spies  or  careless  soldiers  had 
fired  some  of  the  largest  buildings  of  the  town,  thereby 
notifying  the  enemy  of  the  evacuation.  The  lurid  light 
of  the  conflagration  illuminated  the  way  for  miles. 

After  proceeding  a  short  distance  from  Natchitoches, 
the  army  forded  the  now  almost  dry  channel  of  Cane 
River.  At  this  spot  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
were  ordered  to  halt,  and  assist  the  wagon  train  in  as 
cending  the  steep  bluff  on  the  north  bank  of  the  river. 
Stacking  their  arms,  and  relieving  themselves  from  the 
weight  of  knapsacks  and  accoutrements,  the  boys  went 
merrily  to  work.  As  each  wagon  got  stuck  upon  the 
steep  ascent,  a  crowd  of  men  rushed  forward,  and  grasp 
ing  the  wheels  and  other  parts  of  the  wagon,  with  glee 
ful  shouts  quickly  pushed  the  heavy  vehicle  over  the 
knoll.  Again  they  returned  to  assist  another  unfortunate 
driver  and  his  straining  mules. 

In  this  way  they  labored  for  five  hours,  till  the  first 


AWD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  331 

gleams  of  morning  showed  that  the  Sixteenth  and  Seven 
teenth  Corps,  forming  the  rear  guard  of  the  army,  were 
near  at  hand.  Seizing  their  muskets,  the  men  pushed  on 
to  overtake  their  Corps.  Though  an  extremely  hot  day, 
the  Regiment  marched  very  rapidly,  with  short  rests  at 
long  intervals. 

At  10  o'clock,  a  halt  was  made  for  a  little  time,  near 
some  negro  cabins,  for  coffee  and  rations,  and  then  on 
again,  upon  the  winding  road  along  the  banks  of  Cane 
River.  Continual  cannonading  in  the  rear  showed  that 
the  enemy  was  vigorously  pursuing  and  hampering  Gen 
eral  Smith's  command.  Once  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was 
halted,  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  facing  to  the  river, 
in  view  of  an  expected  attack  in  that  direction,  but  it 
proved  to  be  only  an  alarm,  and  the  men  again  fell  into 
column  and  continued  the  march. 

Darkness  came,  but  it  found  no  rest  for  the  tired 
soldier.  Midnight  arrived,  and*  still  they  were  wearily 
tramping  over  the  dusty  road.**  By  this  time,  they  had 
inarched  over  thirty-five  miles,  with  no  rest  of  any  ac 
count,  and  with  but  one  scanty  meal.  None  but  the  har 
diest  constitution  could  endure  it.  Scores  of  men 
dropped  out  by  the  way-side,  unable  to  move  another 
step.  One  young  recruit  in  Company  E  fell  down  in  the 
road,  and  died  from  excessive  fatigue. 

The  army  became  weakened  by  throngs  of  stragglers. 
All  saw  the  necessity  of  making  a  forced  march,  and 
every  one  that  was  able  kept  in  his  place  without  com 
plaining.  It  was  known  that  the  rebels  were  in  front 
somewhere,  attempting  to  cut  off  the  retreat  of  the  army, 
and  it  was  understood  by  the  men  that  if  they  made  a 
rapid  movement,  they  could  either  elude  the  enemy,  or, 
falling  upon  him  suddenly,  find  him  unprepared  for 

22 


332  KKCORJ)  OF  THE  ONE  HU1TDRHSO 

battle.  So  they  tugged  on -through  the  village  of  Clou- 
tierville,  and  several  miles  beyond,  when,  at  1  o'clock, 
they  halted  for  a  few  hours'  rest,  and  to  permit  the  strag 
glers  to  join  their  commands. 

At  4  o'clock  they  were  called  up,  and  once  more 
moved  on.  By  sunrise,  when  near  Monet's  Bluff,  at  the 
crossing  of  the  river,  the  sharp  rattling  of  muskets 
ahead  showed  that  the  advance  cavalry  had  come  upon 
the  enemy.  The  prospect  of  a  battle  aroused  the  lagging 
spirits  of  tjie  men.  The  enemy  was  posted  in  a  strong 
position,  upon  the  summit  of  a  rocky  bluff,  on  the  oppo 
site  side  of  the  river,  where  the"  road  enters  the  pine 
woods.  Here  he  had  posted  his  artillery,  which  could 
sweep  the  low  plains  upon  which  the  Union  army  was 
advancing.  Instantly,  everything  was  in  commotion, 
preparing  for  the  coming  contest.  The  wagons  were 
closely  parked;  artillery  was  planted  in  advantageous 
positions ;  the  troops  were  drawn  up  into  line ;  vacant 
dwellings  were  prepared  for  the  reception  of  the  wound- 
•  ed  ;  and  every  preparation  made  for  the  impending  fight. 

General  Birge's  command,  the  Third  Brigade  of  the 
First  Division,  Colonel  Fessenden  commanding,  and 
General  Cameron's  Division,  Thirteenth  Army  Corps, 
were  ordered  to  cross  the  river  three  miles  above  the 
ferry,  and  turning  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  carry  the 
heights  in  reverse,  if  possible. 

In  the  meantime,  the  enemy  commenced  to  hurl  shell 
among  our  ranks.  They  caused  considerable  excitement, 
but  inflicted  but  little  damage.  One  shell  came  very 
near  killing  General  Banks,  as  he  sat  upon  his  horse,  giv 
ing  some  directions.  General  Franklin  was  suffering 
from  a  wound  received  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  was 
unable  to  command  his  Corps  at  this  time.  General 


„ 
AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMKNT.  333 

Emory  succeeded  him.     He,  in  fact,  conducted  the  battle 
of  CANE  RIVER. 

Soon  after  the  action  commenced,  the  First  Brigade 
was  moved  out  to  the  left  of  the  road,  into  a  piece  of 
swampy  woods,  and  were  ordered  to  lie  down  and  keep 
quiet  until  the  roar  of  General  Birge's  cannon  should  in 
dicate  that  the  enemy  had  been  attacked  upon  his  flank. 

The  flanking  party  was  compelled  to  make  a  wide 
detour,  and  hour  after  hour  passed  away  without  any 
general  engagement,  although  the  artillery  was  active, 
and  our  men  were  subjected  to  a  vigorous  shelling.  Two 
Companies  of  our  Regiment,  Company  A,  Captain  Turn 
er,  and  Company  F,  commanded  by  Lieutenant  Thurber, 
were  sent  forward  partly  to  support  our  artillery,  but 
chiefly  to  keep  down  or  pick  off  rebel  gunners  from  their 
guns. 

During  this  time,  a  loud  and  continuous  booming  of 
cannon  commenced  in  the  rear,  apparently  about  five 
miles  distant.  As  the  thunder  in  that  direction  kept 
increasing,  it  took  no  amount  of  sagacity  to  perceive  that 
General  Smith  was  engaged  in  a  severe  battle.  All  now 
felt  that  the  situation  was  indeed  critical.  The  enemy, 
having  completely  checked  the  advance  of  our-  army  by 
his  strong  position  at  Monet's  Bluff,  had  now  hurled 
most  of  his  [forces  upon  our  rear.  In  after  times,  when 
discussing  their  campaigns,  our  men  were  accustomed  to 
say  that  at  no  time  did  they  feel  as  gloomy,  or  have  such 
doubts  over  the  safety  of  the  army  and  themselves,  as  at 
the  battle  of  Cane  River.  They  were  in  fact  surrounded, 
and  compelled  to  fight  both  in  the  front  and  in  the  rear*. 

The  day  was  rapidly  wearing  away,  while  they  lay  in 
the  woods,  occasionally  altering  their  position.  Late  in 
the  afternoon,  General  Birge  made  a  determined  assault 


334  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

upon  the  enemy's  position,  and  shortly  afterwards  the 
First  Brigade  was  ordered  to  charge.  The  men  jumped 
up,  and  at  a  slow  run  silently  rushed  through  the  forest. 
As  they  emerged  upon  an  open  field  in  front  of  the  bluff, 
the  rebels,  without  firing  a  single  shot,  were  seen  fleeing 
from  its  summit.  In  a  few  moments  they  had  all  ab 
sconded.  Simultaneous  with  this  movement,  the  firing 
in  the  rear  ceased,  and  the  joyful  news  was  announced 
that  General  Smith  had  defeated  the  enemy,  driving  him 
in  great  confusion,  capturing  many  prisoners  and  cannon. 
Thus  the  well  laid  plans  of  the  rebels  had  been  frustrated, 
and  the  army  saved  from  disaster.  Despondency  gave 
way  to  rejoicing,  and  the  men  could  not  refrain  from 
boisterous  cheering.  They  were  immediately  halted,  and 
directed  to  prepare  for  supper. 

In  the  battle  of  Cane  River,  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth — and  it  was  almost  a  miracle — escaped  with 
out  the  loss  of  a  single  man.  The  most  of  the  fighting 
in  this  engagement  was  by  General  Birge's  command. 
The  number  of  killed  and  wounded,  compared  to  the 
number  in  action,  was  very  great.  The  buildings  set 
apart  for  hospitals  were  filled  with  mangled  and  dying 
bodies,  and  scores  of  surgeons  were  engaged  in  their 
humane  but  bloody  work. 

It  is  the  hour  after  the  battle !  All  our  readers  who 
are  familiar  with  the  Homeric  story  of  Machaon,  Surgeon 
to  Nestor,  know  how  much  and  how  fondly  the  bard 
dwells  upon  his  courage  in  the  battle,  and  his  skill  in  his 
art.  "We  are  proud  to  think  that  such  men  do  not  live 
only  in  the  "  Iliad,"  but  that  in  every  age  there  have 
been,  and  in  the  present  day  there  are  many  who  are 
equally  skillful  and  equally  brave.  During  the  fight,  the 
Surgeon  will  brave  death  as  fearlessly  as  any  other  one. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  335 

Without  sharing  the  excitement  of  the  combatants,  he 
will  be  a  great  actor  in  the  bloody  strife.  All  ranks  ap 
peal  to  him  for  aid,  and  he  obeys  as  promptly  the  call  of 
the  poor  soldier  as  of  the  mighty  General ;  he  succors 
the  fallen  of  the  enemy,  as  well  as  the  wounded  of  his 
own  army.  The  lacerated  and  almost  lifeless  forms  of 
his  companions  and  friends  are  brought  to  him,  yet  he 
must  stifle  every  rising  emotion,  for  his  hand  must  not 
tremble,  the  eye  of  the  Surgeon  should  never  be  veiled 
with  a  tear. 

Night  comes,  and  all  are  asleep  save  him.  A  vigilant 
sentinel,  he  is  awake  amongst  the  wounded.  He  goes  to 
one  and  another ;  here,  hastily  exploring  a  wound ;  there, 
searching  for  a  bullet  in  the  cavity  of  the  human  chest. 
His  is  the  struggle  between  the  blind  force  of  destruction 
and  the  intelligent  power  of  conservative  science. 


336  RECORD  OF  TBK  ONE  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

So  call  the  field  to  rest :  and  let's  away, 
To  part  the  glories  of  this  happy  day. 

Juuns  CJESAR. 

Where  yonder  pine  does  stand, 

I  Bhall  discover  all. 

ANTONY  AND  CLEOPATRA. 

/ 

Within  an  hour  after  the  battle  of  Cane  River,  a  pon 
toon  bridge  was  constructed  across  the  river,  and  our 
men  were  again  ordered  forward.  Over  the  bridge,  up 
the  steep  ascent,  and  on  through  the  "  piney  woods," 
they  tramped.  Darkness  came  on,  and  the  road  was 
made  additionally  gloomy  by  the  shade  of  the  forest. 
At  midnight  they  halted  and  bivouaced  by  the  side  of  a 
small  brook. 

Sunday,  April  24th,  the  army  commenced  to  march  at 
6  A.  M.  Passing  a  short  distance,  it  became  evident  that 
the  troops  were  marching  in  a  wrong  direction — upon  an 
unknown  road.  A  halt  was  instantly  called,  and  scouts 
and  staff  officers  were  sent  out  to  find  if  possible  a  path 
that  led  to- Henderson's  Bluff.  Hours  passed  away  in 
fruitless  search,  and  yet  the  Generals  were  unable  to 
learn  their  whereabouts.  Such  a  dilemma  could  not  find 
a  parallel  in  the  history  of  the  war.  An  army  of  over 
forty  thousand  men  had  actually  become  lost  in  the  woods. 
Altogether,  it  was  an  awkward  predicament,  yet  the  men 
could  not  regard  it  in  any  other  light  than  that  of  a  joke. 
They  decided  to  dub  themselves  "  The  Babes  in  the 
Wood."  If  Artemus  Ward  could  have  been  there,  he 


AND  FODKTKKNTli  REGIMENT.  337 

would  have  found  a  fruitful  theme  for  a  lecture.  There 
was  one  consolation  in  this  condition  of  affairs — the  ene 
my  could  never  have  found  them. 

At  length,  after  a  long  delay,  it  was  decided  to  con 
tinue  upon  the  road  they  were  already  pursuing,  which, 
it  was  argued,  at  some  place  or  another  must  emerge  from 
the  forest.  Upon  this  venture  the  troops  inarched  toward 
an  uncertain  destination.  About  noon  the  army  suddenly 
came  out  upon  an  open  cultivated  country,  along  the 
banks  of  the  lied  River.  As  each  Regiment  issued  into 
sunlight,  the  men  commenced  to  sing  a  familiar  tune, 
emphasizing  the  chorus  with  boisterous  variations : 

"  O  !  ain't  I  glad  I'm  getting  out  the  wilderness, 
Getting  out  the  wildei'ness,  getting  out  the  wilderness  ; 
O  !  ain't  I  glad  I'm  getting  out  t!u>  wiUlemess, 
Down  in  Louis-i-ann  !" 

It  was  ascertained  that  they  were  now  near  the  Post 
Office  of  Cotile,  five  miles  north  of  Henderson's  Bluff. 
Anxious  to  reach  the  latter  place  for  a  night's  camp,  the 
troops  crossed  Bayou  Jean  de  Jean  upon  a  high  bridge, 
and  followed  its  course  towards  Bayou  Rapides.  In  the 
twilight  of  evening,  the  army  camped  near  the  foot  of 
the  blu^F.  For  the  first  time  in  several  days,  the  men 
enjoyed  a  whole  night's  rest,  so  that  on  the  following 
morning  they  started  out  quite  refreshed. 

April  25th — an  extremely  hot  and  dusty  day — the  col 
umn  moved  nineteen  miles  along  Bayou  Rapides.  The 
track  of  the  army  from  Grand  Ecore  was  marked  by 
burning  buildings  and  by  heaps  of  smouldering  cotton. 
As  was  the  case  with  the  ancient  Israelites,  in  their  es 
cape  from  Egyptian  bondage,  they  were  guided  by  a 
pillar  of  fire  by  night,  and  a  pillar  of  cloud  by  day. 


388  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Such  a  useless  and  wanton  destruction  of  valuable 
property  was  effected  by  stragglers  and  camp  followers. 
For  the  purpose  of  gratifying  a  little  revenge,  or  to  satis 
fy  a  morbid  curiosity,  these  men  brought  disgrace  upon 
themselves  and  the  service.  The  most  strenuous  exer 
tions  were  made  by  the  authorities  to  secure  the  incendi 
aries,  but  the  evil  did  not  cease  till  the  army  arrived  at 
Alexandria. 

At  2  P.  M.  of  the  25th,  the  troops  entered  the  above 
place,  and  were  assigned  to  camp  grounds  around  its 
outskirts.  While  entering  the  town,  Captain  Fitts,  who 
had  been  some  time  absent,  joined  the  column,  and  was 
welcomed  with  shouts  of  joy.  Two  days  later,  Surgeon 
Wagner  and  Captain  Long  well  rejoined  the  Regiment, 
from  their  trip  North,  and  were  received  with  gladness. 
Two  days  later  still,  Colonel  Per  Lee  returned  from  his 
leave  of  absence.  Upon  assuming  command  of  the 
Regiment,  the  boys  sent  up  a  hearty  "  three  times  three/* 
which  made  the  welkin  ring. 

The  First  Brigade  encamped  about  a  mile  beyond  the 
village,  near  the  banks  of  Red  River,  just  above  the  falls. 
It  was  stationed  here  for  the  purpose  of  guarding  the 
fleet  of  gunboats  which  was  anchored  at  this  point,  being- 
unable  to  pass  the  falls  by  reason  "of  the  low  stage  of 
water.  This  circumstance,  with  others,  convinced  the 
men  that  their  stay  in  Alexandria  would  be  protracted. 
Accordingly,  every  preparation  was  made  to  establish  a 
comfortable  and  permanent  camp.  Lumber  and  tools 
were  called  into  requisition,  to  construct  tent  floors, 
benches  and  furniture*  The  men  bathed,  and  washed 
their  soiled  garments.  The  officers  commenced  work  up 
on  their  neglected  accounts  and  muster  rolls.  For 
several  days,  parties  of  the  enemy  kept  up  a  lively 


AND  FOURTEENTH   REGIMENT.  339 

skirmish  with  the  different  parts  of  the  picket  Hue,  and 
frequently  made  such,  violent  attacks  as  to  drive  in  the 
posts. 

At  length,  on  the  evening  of  April  28th,  the  command 
ing  officers  were  satisfied  that  the  enemy  meditated  a 
general  attack  upon  the  army.  The  First  Brigade  being 
situated  in  an  exposed  position  in  the  advance,  was 
ordered  immediately  to  strike  tents  and  move  to  town. 
This  was  very  discouraging  to  the  boys,  inasmuch  as 
they  had  just  completed  the  construction  of  a  comforta 
ble  c.amp.  Their  labors  were  thus  thrown  away,  and 
leaving  their  little  conveniences  behind,  they  were  march 
ed  to  the  left  und  rear  of  the  village.  Here  they  formed 
»  line  of  battle,  threw  out  skirmishers,  and  were  ordered 
to  lie  upon  their  arms  over  night. 

Although  the  rebels  made  considerable  demonstration 
apon  the  advanced  out-posts,  yet  the  night  passed  away 
without  the  anticipated  fight.  The  morning  revealed  the 
fact  that  the  enemy  had  departed.  The  army  was  then 
camped  on  a  new  line  of  defense.  In  this  disposition,  the 
First  Brigade  was  stationed  close  by  the  town,  near  the 
banks  of  Bayou  Rapides.  Here  the  men  pitched  their 
shelters.  A  series  of  entrenchments  were  planned,  and 
details  made  from  the  Regiment  to  work  upon  them.  In 
a  few  days,  Alexandria  was  enclosed  by  a  zig-zag  line  of 
breastworks,  fortified  in  many  places  by  artillery. 

The  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps  were  encamped 
upon  the  main  roads  leading  from  the  town,  and  several 
miles  in  advance  of  the  entrenchments.  In  these  posi 
tions  they  were  often  engaged  in  active  operations  with 
the  enemy.  Scarcely  a  day  passed  but  that  our  men 
heard  the  sounds  of  artillery  and  musketry  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  advanced  posts. 


340  KBCOKD  OF  THB  ONB  HUNDBBD 

The  forenoon  of  April  30th,  the  Regiment  was  inspect 
ed  and  mustered  for  pay. 

May  2d,  the  First  Brigade  went  out  with  a  forage 
train  on  the  road  toward  Cheneyville,  about  eight  miles. 
Xot  daring  to  proceed  further,  the  command  was  ordered 
to  return  to  camp,  having  obtained  but  little  forage, 
though  a  number  of  the  men  found  an  opportunity  to  fill 
their  haversacks  with  sugar  and  bacon. 

From  day  to  day  the  navigation  of  the  lower  Red 
River  became  more  and  more  precarious.  Hardly  a  ves 
sel  passed  in  either  direction  without  being  compelled  to 
run  a  gauntlet  of  guerrilla  sharp-shooters  and  artillery. 
In  many  cases,  valuable  steamboats  were  destroyed,  and 
their  crews  and  passengers  taken  prisoners. 

Finally,  on  the  5th  of  May,  the  enemy  sealed  the  pas 
sage  of  the  river,  and  all  communication  between  the 
Army  of  the  Gulf  and  the  outside  world  ceased.  The 
last  vessel  that  attempted  to  make  the  passage  was  the 
John  Warner,  escorted  by  two  gunboats.  Some  twenty- 
five  miles  below  Alexandria,  the  rebels  opened  upon  the 
fleet  with  musketry  and  artillery,  and  after  a  short  and 
sanguinary  contest,  the  three  vessels  were  captured  and 
destroyed.  Upon  the  John  Warner  was  Lieutenant  Gib 
son,  who  had  started  for  New  Orleans  in  charge  of  the 
muster  rolls  of  the  Regiment.  He  was  wounded  in  both 
legs  and  taken  prisoner.  As  soon  as  the  news  of  this 
disaster  reached  the  Regiment,  the  officers  were  compel 
led  to  write  out  new  rolls.  A  like  misfortune  befell 
nearly  the  whole  army,  as  well  as  the  loss  of  a  very  large 
mail. 

There  was  another  place  where  the  navigation  of  the 
river  was  even  more  seriously  impeded  ;  and  that  was  at 
**  the  falls  "  above  the  town.  As  before  stated,  there  was 


ABTD  FOURTEENTH  RKG1MJBNT.  341 

above  the  falls  a  large  flejet  of  the  most  expensive  and 
valuable  iron-clads,  which  were  unable  to  pass  the  narrow 
and  rocky  channel  of  the  rapids,  at  the  present  low  stage 
of  water.  The  situation  was  one  of  anxiety  to  the  entire 
army,  from  the  General  to  the  lowest  private.  There 
seemed  to  be  but  one  sad  alternative,  and  that  was  that 
the  army,  shut  off  from  its  communications,  must  eventu 
ally  abandon  the  place,  and  leave  the  Mississippi  flotilla 
of  gunboats  to  its  fate.  But  Colonel  Bailey,  of  General 
Banks'  staff,  had  some  hopes  that  by  proper  engineering 
labors  the  fleet  could  be  saved.  He  submitted  a  plan  to 
General  Banks,  which  was  approved  and  ordered  into  ex 
ecution.  It  was  simply  this  :  that  a  dam  be  constructed 
across  the  river,  about  half  a  mile  below  the  falls,  where 
the  bed  of  the  river  furnished  a  good  foundation,  and  the 
current  was  comparatively  slow.  By  this  means  it  was 
expected  that  the  water  could  be  raised  several  feet  high 
er  on  the  rapids,  when  the  vessels  could  easily  float  over, 
and  a  gap  being  blown  out  of  the  dam  by  a  torpedo, 
they  would  pass  to  a  place  of  safety. 

Concerning  this  plan,  General  Emory,  in  his  testimony 
before  the  Committee  on  the  Conduct  of  the  War,  made 
the  following  statement :  "  It  may  have  been  originated 
by  somebody  else.  There  was  a  soldier,  I  have  forgotten 
his  name,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Xew  York 
Regiment,  one  of  the  lest  Regiment*  I  had,  who  came  to 
me  about  it,  after  I  heard  it  from  Colonel  Bailey.  He 
told  me  that  on  one  occasion  he  had  assisted  in  getting  a 
steamboat  out  of  the  Susquehanna,  which  is  a  more  diffi 
cult  river  than  the  Red  River."  * 

Immediately,   large   details  of  laborers   were   ordered 

*  The  name  of  that  soldier  was  Theodore  Evans,  of  Bainbridge,  Chenango  Co.* 
then  Sergeant  of  Company  H,  since  Lieutenant. 


342  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

from  the  different  Brigades,  arid  under  supervision  of 
Colonel  Bailey,  the  work  commenced.  Few  were  san 
guine  that  the  undertaking  would  prove  a  success,  while 
very  many  derided  the  whole  idea. 

Concerning  this  remarkable  work,  we  cannot  do  better 
than  quote  from  the  graphic  words  of  Admiral  Porter's 
official  dispatch : 

"  'Bfee  proposition  looked  like  madness,  and  the  best  engineers  ridi 
culed  it,  but  Colonel  Bailey  was  so  sanguine  of  success  that  I  request 
ed  General  Banks  to  have  it  done,  and  lie  entered  heartily  in  the 
work.  Provisions  were  short  and  forage  was  almost  out,  and  the  dam 
was  promised  to  be  finished  in  ten  days,  or  the  army  would  have  to 
leare  us.  I  was  doubtful  about  the  time',  but  had  no  doubt  about  the 
ultimate  success,  if  time  would  only  permit.  General  Banks  placed 
•at  the  disposal  of  Colonel  Bailey  all  the  force  he  required,  consisting 
of  some  three  thousand  men  and  two  or  three  hundred  wagons ;  all 
the  neighboring  steam -mills  were  torn  down  for  material ;  two  or  three 
Regiments  of  Maine  men  were  set  to  work  felling  trees,  and  on  the 
second  day  after  my  arrival  at  Alexandria  from  Grand  Ecore  the  work 
had  fairly  begun.  Trees  were  falling  with  great  rapidity ;  teams  were 
moving  in  all  directions,  bringing  in  brick  and  stone. ;  quarries  were 
-opened ;  flat-boats  were  built  to  bring  stone  down  from  above ;  and 
every  man  seemed  to  be  working  with  a  vigor  I  have  seldom  seen 
equalled,  while  perhaps  not  one  in  fifty  believed  in  the  success  of  the 
undertaking.  These  falls  are  about  a  mile  in  length,  filled  with  rug 
ged  rocks,  over  which,  at  the  present  stage  of  water,  it  seemed  to  be 
impossible  to  make  a  channel. 

"  The  work  was  commenced  by  running  out  from  the  left  bank  of 
the  river  a  tree-dam,  made  of  the  bodies  of  very  large- trees,  brush, 
brick,  and  stone,  cross-tied  with  other  heavy  timber,  and  strengthened 
in  every  way  which  ingenuity  could  devise.  This  was  run  out  about 
three  hundred  feet  into  the  river ;  four  large  coal-barges  were  then 
filled  with  brick  and  sunk  at  the  end  of  it.  From  the  right  bunk  of 
the  river,  cribs  filled  with  stone  were  built  out  to  meet  the  barges. 
AH  of  which  was  successfully  accomplished,  notwithstanding  there 
was  a  current  running  of  nine  miles  an  hour,  which  threatened  to 
sweep  every  thing  before  it.  It  will  take  too  much  time  to  enter  into 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  343 

the  details  of  this  truly  wonderful  work.  Suffice  it  to  say,  that  the 
dam  had  nearly  reached  completion  in  eight  days'  working  time,  and 
water  had  risen  sufficiently  on  the  upper  falls  to  allow  the  Fort  Hind- 
man,  Osage,  and  Neosho  to  get  down  and  be  ready  to  pass  the  dam. 
In  another  day  it  would  have  been  high  enough  to  enable  all  the  other 
vessels  to  pass  the  upper  falls.  Unfortunately,  on  the  morning  of  the 
9th,  instant,  the  pressure  of  water  became  so  great  that  it  swept  away 
two  of  the  stone  barges,  which  swung  in  below  the  dam  on  one  side. 
Seeing  this  unfortunate  accident,  I  jumped  on  a  horse  and  road  up  to 
where  the  upper  vessels  were  anchored,  and  ordered  the  Lexington  to 
pass  the  upper  falls,  if  possible,,  and  immediately  attempt  to  go 
through  the  dam.  I  thought  I  might  be  able  to  save  the  four  vessels 
below,  not  knowing  whether  the  persons  employed  on  the  work  would ' 
ever  have  the  heart  to  renew  their  enterprise. 

"  The  Lexington  succeeded  in  getting  over  the  upper  falls  just  in 
time — the  water  rapidly  falling  as  she  was  passing  over.  She  then 
steered  directly  for  the  opening  in  the  dam,  through  which  the  water 
was  rushing  so  furiously  that  it  seemed  as  if  nothing  but  destruction 
awaited  her.  Thousands  of  beating  hearts  looked  on,  anxious  for  the 
result.  The  silence  was  so  great,  as  the  Lexington  approached  the 
dam,  that  a  pin  might  almost  be  heard  to  fall.  She  entered  the  gap 
with  a  full  head  of  steam  on,  pitched  down  the  roaring  torrent,  made 
two  or  three  spasmodic  rolls,  hung  for  a  moment  on  the  rocks  below, 
was  then  swept  into  deep  water  by  the  current,  and  rounded  to  safely 
into  the  bank.  Thirty  thousand  voices  rose  in  one  deafening  cheer, 
and  universal  joy  seemed  to  pervade  the  face  of  every  man  present,. 
The  Neosho  followed  next,  all  her  hatches  battened  down,  and  every 
precaution  taken  against  accident.  She  did  not  fare  as  well  as  the 
Lexington,  her  pilot  haviag  become  frightened  as  he  approached  the 
abyss,  and  stopped  her  engine,  when  I  particularly  ordered  a  full  head 
of  steam  to  be  carried  ;  the  result  was,  that  for  a  moment  her  hull  dis 
appeared  from  sight  under  water.  Every  one  thought  she  was  lost. 
She  rose,  however,  swept  along  over  the  rocks  with  the  current,  and 
fortunately  escaped  with  only  one  hole  in  her  bottom,  which  was- 
stopped  in  the  course  of  an  hour.  The  Hindman  and  Osage  both 
came  through  beautifully,  without  touching  a  thing ;  and  I  thought,... 
if  I  was  only  fortunate  enough  to  get  my  large  vessels  as  well  over 
the  falls,  my  fleet  once  more  would  do  good  service  on  the  Mississippi,. 


344  RECORD  0V  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  accident  to  the  dam.  instead  of  disheartening  Colonel  Bailey,  only 
induced  him  to  renew  his  exertions  after  he  had  seen  the  success  of 
getting  four  vessels  through.  _. 

"  The  noble-hearted  soldiers,  seeing  their  labor  of  the  last  eight 
days  swept  away  in  a  moment,  cheerfully  went  to  work  to  repair  the 
damages,  being  confident  now  that  all  the  gunboats  would  finally  be 
brought  over.  These  men  had  been  working  eight  days  and  nights 
up  to  their  necks  in  water,  in  the  broiling  sun — cutting  trees  and 
wheeling  bricks — and  nothing  but  good-humor  prevailed  among  them. 
On  the  whole  it  was  fortimate  the  dam  was  carried  away,  as  the  two  barg 
es  that  were  swept  away  from  the  centre  swung  around  against  some 
rocks  on  the  left,  and  made  a  fine  cushion  for  the  vessels,  and  prevent 
ed  them,  as  it  afterwards  appeared,  from  running  on  certain  destruc 
tion.  The  force  of  water  and  the  current  being  too  great  to  construct 
a  continuous  dam  of  six  hundred  feet  across  the  river,  in  so  short  a 
time,  Colonel  Bailey  determined  to  leave  a  gap  of  fifty -five  feet  in  the 
dam,  and  build  a  series  of  wing  dams  on  the  upper  falls.  This  was 
accomplished  in  three  days'  time,  and  on  the  llth  instant  the  Mound 
City,  Carondelet,  and  Pittsburg  came  over  the  upper  falls,  a  good  deal 
of  labor  having  been  expended  in  hauling  them  through,  the  channel 
being  very  crooked,  scarcely  wide  enough  for  them.  Next  clay  the 
Ozark,  Louisville,  Chillicothe,  and  two  tugs  succeeded  in  passing  the 
upper  falls.  Immediately  afterwards  the  Mound  City,  Carondelet,  and 
Pittsburg  started  in  succession  to  pass  the  dam,  all  their  hatches  bat 
tened  down,  and  every  precaution  taken  to  prevent  accident.  The 
passage  of  these  vessels  was  a  most  beautiful  sight,  only  to  be  realized 
when  seen.  They  passed  over  without  any  accident,  excepting  the 
unshipping  of  one  or  two  rudders.  This  was  witnessed  by  all  the 
troops,  and  the  vessels  were  heartily  cheered  as  they  passed  over. 
N"ext  morning,  at  10  o'clock,  the  Louisville,  Chillicothe,  Ozark,  and 
two  tugs  passed  over  without  any  accident  except  the  loss  of  a  man, 
who  was  swept  off  the  deck  of  one  of  the  tugs." 

On  the  evening  of  the  day  in  which  the  last  boat 
passed  over  the  falls,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
was  ordered  to  march  up  near  where  the  vessels  were 
lying,  and  assist  in  floating  them  over  the  rocks.  Arriv 
ing  soon  at  the  designated  spot,  the  men  stacked  anns, 


AWD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  345 

d  went  actively  to  work  in  conveying  artillery  and 
n  armor  from  the  boats  to  below  [the  falls.     Having 
3omplished  their   labors,   and  perceiving  their  efforts 
3wned  with  success,  at  dark  the  men  returned  to  camp, 
unediately  after  breaking  ranks  before  their  tents,  an 
ler  was   received  for  the   army  to  march   in   fifteen 
__nutes.     But  quickly  another  order  was  announced,  re 
scinding  the  former,  and  directing  the  troops  to  march  at 
7  o'clock  of  the  next  morning. 

The  great  work  having  been  accomplished,  and  the 
necessity  for  any  further  delay  at  Alexandria  being  re 
moved,  the  army  was  to  resume  its  retreat. 


346  KKCOllD  OF  THE  ONB  HUNDRED 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

I  will  lead  forth  my  soldiers  to  the  plain, 
And  thus  my  battle  shall  be  ordered. 

KINO  RICHARD  III. 

Up  higher  to  the  plain  1  where  we'll  set  forth, 
In  best  appointment,  all  our  regiments, 

KIHG  Jons. 

By  daylight  of  the  13th  of  May,  the  entire  army  was 
in  commotion.  The  white  camps  disappeared ;  artillery 
was  hauled  away  from  the  breastworks ;  sick  men  and 
stores  were  transferred  to  vessels ;  and  at  the  appointed 
hour,  the  troops  fell  into  line  and  filed  out  of  the  streets 
of  the  town  of  Alexandria,  where  they  had  lived  for  sev 
enteen  days.  Then  they  pursued  the  road  that  led  along 
the  levee  of  the  Red  River. 

Having  marched  a  few  miles,  the  men  heard  in  the 
rear  the  roar  of  distant  explosions,  indicating  that  the 
dam,  the  product  of  their  labor  and  skill,  was  being 
blown  to  pieces.  They  also  observed  a  huge  column  of 
black  smoke  ascending  the  sky,  in  the  direction  of  the 
lately  vacated  town.  Their  surmises  concerning  this  re 
markable  spectacle  were  soon  confirmed  by  the  news  that 
incendiary  soldiers  had  caused  the  destruction  of  the 
largest  and  finest  portion  of  Alexandria. 

As  the  boys  watched  the  dark  pall  that  overhung  the 
doomed  village,  they  could  not  avoid  the  reflection  how 
many  families  were  being  then  deprived  of  late  happy 
and  peaceful  homes — how  many  men,  once  wealthy,  were 
being  suddenly  driven  to  poverty  and  wretchedness — 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  347 

how  many  sad  and  thrilling  scenes  were  being  enacted 
beneath  that  gloomy  cloud  of  smoke  ! 

As  the  army  marched  on,  and  the  day  wore  away,  this 
last  vestige  of  Alexandria's  fall  disappeared  beneath  the 
horizon,  and  then  the  minds  of  the  men  turned ^to  other 
subjects. 

Through  a  region  partly  cultivated,  and  partly  wood 
ed,  the  army  followed  the  windings  of  the  river  until 
nightfall,  when  they  camped  upon  a  cane  field  along  the 
borders  of  a  forest,  and  near  the  banks  of  a  small  bayou. 
A  sugar  mill  was  close  by,  from  which  the  men  secured  a 
plentiful  supply  of  sugar  to  add  to  their  very  scanty 
rations. 

At  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  troops  were  ordered 
to  continue  the  march.  That  day  (the  14th  of  May)  the 
army  was  delayed  considerably,  by  the  obstinate  skirm 
ishing  of  the  enemy  in  advance.  About  noon,  while  the 
men  were  eating  dinner,  the  immense  fleet  of  transports 
and  gunboats,  which  had  left  Alexandria  behind  the 
army,  came  sailing  by  in  single  file.  The  gunboats  oc 
casionally  fired  shell  into  the  forests  upon  the  opposite 
bank,  as  they  passed  along.  Having  marched  but  thir 
teen  miles,  the  Regiment  was  encamped  by  sundown  up 
on  a  bend  of  the  river,  where  lay  the  charred  wrecks  of 
the  John  WurAer  and  the  two  gunboats. 

O 

The  ground  where  the  men  pitched  their  tents  that 
night,  was  covered  with  envelopes  and  papers  from  rifled 
mail  bags.  Many  of  the  boys,  in  searching  over  the 
muddy  and  torn  fragments  of  letters,  discovered  missives 
which  they  themselves  had  written  to  friends.  Tenderly 
written  notes  to  lady-loves  ;  official  dispatches ;  business 
letters ;  newspaper  correspondence  ;  muster-rolls ;  affec 
tionate  epistles  from  eons  to  parents,  had  all  been  subject- 


348  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBKD 

ed  to  the  vile  scrutiny  of  rebel  guerrillas,  and  ruthlessly 
torn  to  pieces.  Nothing  did  ever  so  excite  the  indigna 
tion  of  our  men.  They  declared  that  the  burning  of 
southern  towns  was-  but  a  sweet  revenge  for  such  indig 
nities. 

At  7  o'clock  of  May  15th,  the  troops  fell  into  line  for 
another  day's  march.  Moving  a  short  distance,  they 
were  halted  to  permit  the  wagon  train  to  pass  by.  With 
short  marches  and  long  rests,  they  made  but  little  head 
way  till  near  noon,  when  they  branched  off  some  dis 
tance  from  the  river,  and  marched  twelve  or  fifteen  miles 
through  a  dreary,  desolate  wilderness  region  of  country, 
abounding  with  cottonwood  and  cypress,  *and  quite 
heavily  timbered  with  oak.  The  sparse  inhabitants  of 
this  section  live  upon  shook  making,  or  from  the  products 
of  a  few  acres  of  ground,  which,  when  properly  cultivat 
ed,  are  very  productive. 

"  At  some  time  this  extensive  forest,  and  the  swamps 
and  low  lands  surrounding,  must  have  been  completely 
a-nd  terribly  inundated,  there  being  well  defined  water 
marks  upon  the  trees,  from  twelve  to  fifteen  feet  in 
height.  The  few  habitations,  rude  and  primitive  in  their 
appearance,  were  well  up  on  stilts,  evincing  they  were 
surrounded  by  an  element  at  times  troublesome  and  dis 
astrous.  During  the  freshet  season,  the  tenants  must 
either  lie  up  garret  or  abandon  their  homes  altogether. 

For  several  miles  the  army  followed  the  course  of 
Choctaw  Bayou,  which  was  crossed  upon  a  boat  bridge, 
and  finally  emerged  from  the  swamp  bottoms,  some  six 
miles  south  of  Fort  De  Russey,  and  entered  Avoyelles 
Prairie,  or  the  interminable  plains  of  Mansura.  It  was 
rumored  that  there  were  between  twelve  and  twenty 
thousand  of  the  enemy  on  the  plains  or  in  the  neighbor- 


JLND  FOURTBENTH  RKGIMBNT.  349 

hood  of  Marksville,  prepared  and  waiting  to  receive  us. 
A  battle  seemed  imminent !  Our  brave  soldiers,  although 
weary  and  well  nigh  exhausted  from  previous  fighting 
and  marching,  and  the  excessive  heat,  with  courage  una 
bated,  were  ready  for  the  fray. 

The  woods  and  swamps,  as  far  as  possible,  had  been 
thoroughly  scoured  and  reconnoitered,  and  as  soon  as  our 
column  reached  the  plains,  the  skirmishing  was  renewed 
with  increased  spirit  and  determination.  The  Sixth  Mis 
souri  and  Fourteenth  New  York  cavalry,  after  making 
repeated  charges,  drove  in  the  skirmishers  of  the  enemy 
for  a  couple  of  miles,  wken  he  opened  a  fire  of  artillery, 
and  drove  our  skirmishers  back  about  half  the  distance. 
Here,  being  reinforced  by  the  Sixteenth  Indiana  and  Sec 
ond  and  Twelfth  Illinois  cavalry,  they  held  the  ground. 

General  Grover,  of  the  Second  Division,  Nineteenth 
Corps,  who  led  the  advance  of  the  main  army,  formed  in 
line  of  battle  across  the  plains — the  First  Division,  under 
General  McMillan,  within  easy  supporting  distance — the 
whole  being  under  the  gallant  Emory,  as  Corps  command 
er.  No  demonstration  being  made  upon  the  lines,  the 
advance  continued.  Near  sunset  there  followed  another 
sharp  skirmish,  when  night  closed  in  upon  the  scene, 
leaving  the  Federals  in  possession  of  the  ground  recently 
held  by  the  enemy,  on  the  plains  of  Mansura. 

Early  the  following  morning,  the  familiar  order  "  Fall 
in "  resounded  throughout  the  lines.  About  ordinary 
breakfast  time,  the  column  marched  through  Marksville, 
the  capital  of  the  Parish  of  Avoyelles.  This  is  a  town 
of  four  hundred  inhabitants,  situated  in  the  midst  of  a 
fertile  plain,  but  wore  a  dilapidated  and  deserted  appear 
ance.  Its  brick  court  house  and  jail  were  most  striking 
specimens  of  ancient  Spanish  architecture,  and  were  gro- 


350  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBKD 

tesquely  painted  in  variegated  colors.  Many  of  the 
residences  were  roofed  with  tile,  and  had  hanging  around 
them  a  great  profusion  of  dormer  windows  and  balconies. 

From  this  point  the  various  Corps  and  Divisions  were 
placed  in  order  for  battle.  It  was  more  evident  than  at 
any  time  before,  that  they  had  a  strong  rebel  force  to  en 
counter — that  they  were  nearing  a  contest  more  terrible 
and  sanguinary  in  its  consequences  and  results  than  any 
before  experienced. .  That  the  Confederate  army  had 
passed  around  to  the  front,  and  was  intending  to  dispute 
further  retreat  towards  the  Mississippi,  was  quite*  certain. 

General  A.  J.  Smit&'s  command,  which  had  reached 
the  plain  upon  a  different  road,  from  a  point  nearer  to 
Fort  De  Russey,  occupied  the  extreme  right  of  the  field, 
if  possible,  to  flank  the  enemy  ;  General  Grover's  Division 
the  right  of  the  centre ;  a  heavy  artillery  force  the  centre ; 
the  First  Division  the  extreme  left,  the  First  Brigade 
forming  the  front  line. 

Allusion  has  frequently  been  made  to  the  appearance 
and  disposition  of  contending  armies,  yet  it  is  usually 
impossible  to  obtain  only  a  limited  view  of  a  battle-field 
of  several  miles  in  extent,  by  reason  of  intervening  hill 
and  wood.  The  battle  of  Mansui;a  was  the  only  contest 
in  which  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  ever  partici 
pated,  where  every  man  was  enabled  to  view  the  whole 
army  at  a  single  glance. 

In  the  clear  sunlight  of  a  bright  May  morning,  upon 
the  green  and  floral  surface  of  a  beautiful  plain,  the 
marshalling  of  [forces  was  transcendently  imposing — -a 
sight  at  once  grand  and  inspiring.  As  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach,  or  aided  vision  extend,  serried  ranks,  brist 
ling  bayonets,  burnished  guns,  glittering  sabres,  waving 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KKGIMBNT.  351 

banners,   and   battle  flags  all  tattered  and  torn,  every 
where  met  the  view. 

"  Twere  worth  ten  years  of  peaceful  life, 
One  glance  at  their  array." 

One  would  suppose  there  was  force  enough  here  to 
whip  out  all  rebeldom,  especially  to  swallow  up  and  des 
troy  every  vestige  of  opposition  to  Federal  authority  in 
the  State  of  Louisiana.  But  more  than  once  during  the 
war  has  there  been  unfolded  the  remarkable  Bible  truth, 
4i  the  race  is  not  always  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the 
strong." 

It  was  not  long  before  the  cannonading,  heard  in  the 
morning  like  distant  thunder,  was  increased  in  severity — 
before  the  ball  was  fairly  opened.  Bisland  excepted,  the 
battle  of  Mansura,  probably,  was  the  nicest  and  sharpest 
artillery  fight  that  took  place  in  the  Department  of  the 
Gulf.  As  our  lines  firmly  and  steadily  swept  the  broad 
plains,  reaching  seven  miles  in  length  and  five  in  breadth 
— closing  in  here  and  extending  there,  and  changing  po 
sition  in  another  direction,  shot  and  shell  in  the  mean 
time  being  hurled  forward  to  dislodge  the  enemy  and 
silence  his  guns — he,  with  his  customary  cautiousness  of 
superior  numbers  pitted  against  him,  kept  as  steadily 
and  as  constantly  falling  back,  till  at  length  his  forces 
were  wholly  driven  from  the  field  and  lost  in  the  wood. 

Considering  the  severity  and  duration  of  the  fire — the 
sharp  and  spirited  skirmishing  of  both  cavalry  and  in 
fantry — the  loss  on  both  sides  was  trifling.  While  there 
was,  as  there  always  will  be,  a  great  waste  of  powder 
and  ball  in  every  battle,  the  rebels  made  some  splendid 
shots.  One  thirty  pound  shot,  it  is  distinctly  remember 
ed  among  others,  cut  up  a  variety  of  pranks,  carrying 


352  BBCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBXD 

away  the  leg  of  a  cow,  tearing  and  ploughing  up  the 
ground,  kicking  up  a  dust  generally,  and,  to  conclude,  at 
four  bounds,  each,  if  possible,  more  desperate  than  the 
preceding,  passed  a  few  paces  to  the  front  of  the  entire 
line  of  the  Regiment. 

The  boys,  in  again  meeting  the  enemy,  proved  them 
selves,  by  their  orderly  conduct,  discipline  and  bravery, 
worthy  of  the  reputation  they  had  previously  acquired. 
Although  under  a  sharp  fire,  no  one  was  seriously  injur 
ed — but  one  only,  E.  H.  Aldrich,  of  Company  B,  received 
the  slightest  hit. 

From  the  plains  the  enemy  broke  to  the  left  in  a  south 
westerly  direction,  taking  the  Cheneyville  road,  giving 
the  Federal  troops  an  opportunity  to  pass  the  junction  of 
this  road  with  the  one  leading  to  Semmesport,  in  an  op 
posite  direction.  The  result  of  the  past  contest  was 
achieved  in  opening  a  way  for  the  further  retreat  of  the 
army. 

"With  the  close  of  the  battle  of  Mansura  we  end  the 
chapter. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RE6IMK1CT.  353 


CHAPTER    XXXY. 

Sorry  am  I,  his  numbers  are  so  few, 

Hie  soldiers  sick,  and  famish'd  in  their  march. 

KING  HBNRT  V- 

I  wonder  much,  being  men  of  such  great  leading, 
That  you  foresee  not  what  impediments 
Draw  back  our  expedition. 

KING  HKNKY  IV. 

The  same  afternoon  that  saw  the  victorious  result  of 
Mansura,  the  army  was  urged  forward  still  further  on 
their  march.  Immediately  after  the  battle,  the  column 
crossed  upon  a  "  succotash  "  bridge — part  pontoon  and 
part  logs — a  small  and  nameless  bayou,  and  came  to  the 
banks  of  Bayou  De  Glaise.  The  course  of  this  stream  is 
of  a  horse-shoe  form,  flowing  from  the  Red  River  to  the 
Atchafalaya.  It  is  deep,  and  navigable  a  greater  part  of 
the  year.  Still  later,  the  troops  marched  through  a 
pleasant  little  village  called  Moreauville  and  soon  after 
camped  close  by  the  bayou,  upon  cultivated  fields. 

May  Ivth,  at  7  o'clock,  the  movement  was  resumed, 
the  army  Avinding  slowly  around  the  bends  of  Bayou  De 
Glaise,  through  a  fine  agricultural  country.  About  noon 
it  crossed  Bayou  Yellow  upon  a  pontoon  bridge,  passing 
through  some  rebel  works  which  were  commenced  a  year 
before,  with  the  intention  of  holding  the  road  and  the 
crossing.  They  were  well  planned,  upon  an  extensive 
scale,  but  the  enemy  being  compelled  to  change  his  line 
of  defense,  they  were  abandoned  unfinished.  Stopping 
often,  and  resting  an  hour  at  noon,  at  2  o'clock  the  army 
reached  Semmesport,  upon  the  Atchafalaya.  The  gun- 


354  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

boat  and  transport  fleet  were  all  found  to  have  arrived 
at  this  landing. 

Semmesport  is  a  name  without  a  place.  Although  there 
were  the  ruins  of  several  burned  buildings,  yet  two  small 
vacant  dwellings  comprised  the  town.  The  Regiment 
encamped  near  the  river,  under  the  burning  and  swelter 
ing  rays  of  a  southern  sun,  more  suffocating  in  their 
effects  than  had  ever  before  been  experienced.  Partly 
surrounded  by  wood,  which  excluded  the  fresh  air,  with 
old  Sol  pouring  in  his  rays,  refined  and  concentrated,  to 
breathe  "  the  breath  of  life  "  was  next  to  impossible. 

As  soon  as  our  boys  had  pitched  their  tents  and  ar 
ranged  the  camp,  they  hastened  to  the  bayou  to  indulge  in 
the  luxury  of  a  bath.  Regardless  of  alligators  and  oth 
er  reptiles,  hundreds  of  men  were  soon  swimming  and 
floundering  in  the  water.  In  an  instant  a  number  of 
shots  were  fired  upon  the  unarmed  men,  from  a  foe  con 
cealed  in  the  bushes  upon  the  opposite  bank.  It  produ 
ced  a  most  ludicrous  scampering  of  throngs  of  living 
models  for  modern  sculptors.  Those  who  were  not  too 
badly  scared,  appeared  in  camp  in  the  greatest  variety  of 
en  dishabille  costumes.  But.  very  many  did  not  wait  to 
compromise  even  as  much  as  an  under-garment  to  the  re 
quirements  of  civilization. 

In  the  evening,  Company  K,  with  another  detail  from 
the  Brigade,  was  sent  across  the  bayou  in  boats,  to  estab 
lish  a  picket  line.  The  guerrillas  had  fled,  and  our  men 
met  with  no  opposition. 

Upon  reaching  Semmesport,  it  was  learned  that  the 
Department  of  the  Gulf  had  been  consolidated  with  sev 
eral  other  Departments,  constituting  the  Military  Divis 
ion  of  West  Mississippi,  and  placed  under  the  command 
of  Major  General  Canby.  General  Banks  thus  lost  his 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  355 

independent  command,  and  was  required  to  report  to 
General  Canby,  who  was  at  Semmesport  awaiting  his 
arrival. 

The  next  day,  the  18th,  the  Regiment  lay  in  camp,  im 
proving  this  fine  opportunity  for  rest.  But  the  roar  of 
General  Smith's  cannon  in  the  rear,  throughout  the  day, 
apprised  them  that  the  Sixteenth  and  Seventeenth  Corps 
were  enjoying  anything  else  rJfat  a  season  of  repose.  At 
the  crossing  of  Yellow  Bayou  these  troops  were  engag 
ing  the  enemy  under  General  Polignac,  who  was  prepar 
ing  to  attack  the  army  at  the  time  it  should  cross  the 
Atchafalaya.  A  part  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps  was  in  the 
engagement,  the  Nineteenth  being  held  in  reserve.  Af 
ter  a  desperate  engagement,  the  rebels  were  defeated  and 
driven  from  the  field.  In  this  battle  the  last  gun  of  the 
Red  River  campaign  was  fired. 

Surgeon  Hut  chins,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth 
New  York,  acting  Medical  Director  of  the  First  Division, 
called  for  volunteers  to  aid  their  surgical  brethren  of  the 
West  in  caring  dfior  the  many  wounded,  that  had  been 
removed  to  the  hospital  boats  at  the  landing.  Surgeon 
Wagner  and  his  assistant,  with  others  of  the  First  Bri 
gade,  cheerfully  responded,  and  labored  at  the  operating 
table  till  after  daylight  the  next  morning. 

At  this  date,  the  folio-wing  General  Order  was  publish 
ed  to  the  troops : 

HKADQUARTKRS  NINETEKNTH  ARMY  CORPS,  j 
SSMMKSPORT,  La.,  May  18,  1864.          C 
SPECIAL  ORDERS,  No  48. 

Soldiers  of  the  First  and  Second  Divisions,  Nineteenth  Army 
Corps :  It  is  my  duty  to  express  to  you  my  high  appreciation  of  your 
uniform  good  conduct  throughout  the  late  eventful  campaign.  This 
duty  is  rendered  more  imperative  by  the  false  reports  of  your  opera 
tions,  which  have  met  you  at  this  point.  On  the  8th  of  April,  at  the 


356  JBBCORD  OF  THB  OJTB  HUKDftBD 

first  notice  that  our  troops  in  the  front  were  engaged,  the  First  Divis 
ion,  the  only  troops  of  the  Nineteenth  Army  Corps  there  present, 
marched  in  double  quick  time,  seven  (7)  miles  to  the  froiSt ;  formed 
line  of  battle  under  the  enemy's  fire ;  checked  him,  and  drove  him 
back,  under  circumstances  the  most  trying  that  could  befall  troops. 
TJie  whole  advance,  composed  of  eight  or  ten  thousand  troops  were 
thrown  back  upon  you  in  utter  disorder  and  confusion,  pell  mell,  with 
the  enemy.  You  formed  line  of  battle  under  the  enemy's  fire  and 
amidst  the  frightful  disorder,  with  the  regularity  of  forming  for 
parade.  You  drove  the  enemy  from  before  you  and  held  the  ground 
until  ordered  to  fall  back.  The  next  day  at  Pleasant  Hill,  you  of  the 
First  Division  bore  the  brunt  of  the  enemy's  furious  attack,  and  only 
one  Brigade,  that  on  the  left,  gave  way,  because  it  was  unsupported, 
but  it  soon  rallied  and  joined  in  the  final  charge,  which  drove  the 
enemy  from.the  field.  On  the  23d,  at  Cane  River,  you,  supported  by 
the  Thirteenth  Corps,  found  the  enemy  strongly  fortified  to  dispute 
the  crossing  of  the  river.  Led  by  the  Third  Brigade  of  the  First 
Division,  you  turned  his  flank,  and  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet  drove 
him  from  the  hill  he  occupied.  At  Alexandria  you  contributed  your 
labor  by  day  and  night,  for  seventeen  days,  under  the  engineering  skill 
of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Bailey,  to  the  great  work  which  relieved  the 
fleet  from  its  perilous  situation  above  the  falls,  restoring  it  to  the 
country.  This  is,  in  brief,  a  summary  of  your  «er  vices  for  the  last 
two  months,  and  I  know  when  it  becomes  known  to  the  country,  the 
judgment  will  be,  that  you,  at  least  have  done  your  duty  faithfully. 

W.  H.  EMORY, 
Brigadier-General  Commanding. 
DUNCAN  S.  WALKER,  A.  A.  O. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  the  army' commen 
ced  to  cross  the  Atchafalaya,  a  portion,  with  all  the  train, 
moving  over  upon  a  bridge  of  steamboats,  which  was 
another  product  of  the  engineering  skill  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Bailey.  The  structure  consisted  of  twenty  trans 
ports,  anchored  abreast  of  each  other,  from  bank  to  bank. 
Over  their  decks,  .timbers  and  planks  completed  a  bridge 
of  nearly  fifteen  hundred  feet  in  length.  About  the 
middle  of  the  forenoon,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 


AKD  FOURTEENTH  BEttlMEKT.  357 

was  ferried  over  on  the  steamer  Emerald,  when  it  moved 
two  miles  up  the  river  and  encamped  upon  its  banks,  to 
await  the  crossing  of  the  balance  of  the  train  and  the 
army. 

For  two  days  the  men  rested  in  this  place,  busy  with 
little  else  than  catching  mud  fish,  among  the  ditches  and 
lagoons  of  an  adjoining  swamp. 

At  a  little  past  noon  of  May  20th,  the  last  troops,  with 
all  their  appurtenances  and  appliances  of  war,  were 
safely  over.  The  signal  was  given,  and  the  boat  bridge 
floated  apart  and  steamed  up  the  river.  All  contact  with 
the  enemy  was  at  an  end. 

Near  sundown,  the  order  came  to  march  immediately. 
By  the  light  of  a  full  moon,  the  men  tramped  upon  a 
wide  and  smooth  road  some  three  miles,  to  the  head  of 
the  Atchafalaya,  where  it  flows  from  the  Mississippi  and 
Red  Rivers  at  their  point  of  junction.  The  troops  then 
turned  to  the  right,  and  followed  the  banks  of  a  deserted 
channel  of  the  Mississippi,  which  that  fickle  river  had  cut 
off  from  its  main  current,  in  1832. 

Passing  through  the  pleasant  village  of  Red  River 
Landing,  the  Regiment  bivouaced  at  midnight  near  the 
little  town  of  Williamsport. 

May  2 1st,  the  troops  labored  on  beneath  a  scalding  sun, 
by  tlje  stagnant  waters  of  Old  River,  another  singular 
cut  off,  which,  by  the  formation  of  a  new  channel  of  a 
few  miles,  some  years  since,  shortens  the  present  naviga 
tion  about  fifty  miles.  Toiling  all  day  through  a 
populous  and  wealthy  country,  at  5  o'clock  the  column 
turned  away  from  Old  River,  and,  marching  a  short  dis 
tance  through  a  forest,  at  length  came  out  upon  the  levee- 
of  the  Mississippi.  The  men  greeted  with  hearty  and 
joyful  shouts  "The  Father  of  Waters,"  and  breaking 


0 
358  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

from  the  ranks,  made  a  rush  to  obtain  a  draught  of  the 
delicious  water.  Continuing  down  the  river  till  sundown, 
the  army  encamped  near  the  ruins  of  the  village  of  Mor- 
ganza.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  occupied  a 
rough  field  overgrown  with  rank  weeds. 

The  next  morning,  Sunday,  the  Regiment  received  a 
large,  mail,  the  accumulation  of  many  weeks,  while  the 
army  was  shut  out  from  the  world  at  Alexandria.  Mov 
ing  out  three  miles,  the  men  were  assigned  a  narrow  strip 
of  ground  between  the  levee  and  the  banks  of  the  river, 
and  ordered  to  make  preparations  for  a^permanent  camp. 

The  campaign  was  now  finished.  Concerning  the  Red 
River  aifair,  much  has  been  unfolded,  yet  a  great  deal 
remains  in  obscurity,  awaiting  development  by  the  pen  of 
the  impartial  historian.  For  what  purpose  a  large  and 
splendid  army  was  sent  off  into  the  wilderness  of  the  Red 
River — what  it  was  expected  to  do,  and  how  the  move 
ment  could  in  any  way  effect  injury  to  the  rebellion — are 
only  matters  of  surmise,  even  among  those  who  were  .par 
ticipants  in  the  campaign.  That  the  plan  originated  in 
Washington,  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  troops  from  three 
different  Departments  were  engaged  in  it.  That  it  was 
doomed  to  be  a  failure,  was  almost  certain  from  the  start, 
by  reason  of  the  nature  of  the  country,  the  notorious 
treachery  of  the  Red  River,  and  the  immense  distance  to 
be  traversed  and  held.  The  ostensible  reason  was  the 
occupation  of  Shreveport.  But  what  was  the  object  of 
capturing  a  comparatively  insignificant  town,  upon  the 
borders  of  the  interminable  and  uninhabitable  plains  of 
the  West,  which  could  never  be  retained  for  further  oper 
ations,  on  account  of  its  great  distance  from  a  base  of 
supplies? 

King  Cotton  has  been  accused  with  having  incited  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  359 


movement.  Yet  the  soldiers  in  the  ranks  perceived 
throughout  the  campaign,  that  the  authorities  paid  little 
or  no  attention  to  the  lucrative  blandishments  of  this 
monarch; 

•Whatever  was  intended  to  have  been  effected,  it  is 
certain  the  soldiers  performed. a  great  work.  They  had 
marched  in  the  neighborhood  of  FIVE  HUNDRED  AND  FIF 
TY  MILES.  Deducting  the  time  at  different  places,  by 
halts  in  the  advance  and  in  the  retreat,  and  in  building 
dams,  fortifications  and  bridges,  which  is  more  than  half 
of  the  whole,  there  will  be  left,  marching  time,  barely 
THIRTY-FOUR  DAYS. 

The  battle  of  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  the  march  from 
Pleasant  Hill  and  back,  about  thirty-five  miles,  all  took 
place  within  the  sum  of  TWENTY-FOUR  HOURS. 

The  march  from  Natchitoches,  and  the  retreat  to  Grand 
Ecore,  one  hundred  and  six  miles,  including  the  battles 
of  Sabine  Cross  Roads  and  Pleasant  Hill,  occujfied  less 

than  Six  DAYS. 

«• 

The  distance  from  Grand  Ecore  to  Alexandria,  eighty 
miles,  and  including  the  battle  of  Cane  River  Crossing, 
which  occupied  nearly  one-quarter  of  the  time,  was  made 
in  FOUR  DAYS. 

When  it  is  remembered  that  every  soldier  carries  upon 
his  person  a  burden  of  from  forty-five  to  fifty  pounds, 
made  up  of  his  fighting  equipage — of  a  part,  at  least,  of 
his  cooking  and  eating  untensils — of  the  house  he  lives 
in— of  the  clothes  he  wears — of  the  bed  he  sleeps  in — and 
often  from  three  to  five  days'  rations— and  the  magnitude 
of  the  work  performed  by  the  soldiers  cannot  fail  to  be 
comprehended.  It  seemed,  at  times,  that  they  were 
"  between  the  upper  and  nether  mill  stone,"  pressed  on 
all  sides — surrounded  by  enemies — hurried  in  the  van  and 


360  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDKKD 

by  the  rear-guard — crowded  and  urged  forward  by  friend 
and  \  foe.  Never  did  men  work  harder  or  better,  and 
with  more  determination.  Sometimes  it  appeared  that 
they  must  wither  and  fall  under  it — some  did  fall  to  rise 
no  more ! 

If  they  failed  to  win  battles,  it  is  no  fault  of  theirs. 
If  they  won  victories,  and  failed  to  profit  by  them,  they 
are  not  to  blame  for  it.  If  they  turned  their  backs 
upon  the  enemy,  when  his  feet  were  flying  from  them, 
they  are  not  cowards.  If  the  dead  were  left  unburied, 
and  the  wounded  to  perish  upon  the  bloody  field,  they 
are  not  miscreants.  The  officers  may  have  been  whipped 
— the  common  soldiers  were  not. 

To-day  they  are  victorious ! 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKOIMENT.  361 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

Then,  forth,  dear  countrymen  ;  let  us  deliver 
Our  puissance  into  the  hands  of  God, 
Putting  it  straight  in  expedition. 
Cheerly  to  sea  ;  the  signs  of  war  advance. 

KING  HKNBY  V. 

Iii  prospect  of  a  season  of  rest  at  Morganza,  the  men 
went  merrily  to  work  constructing  a  comfortable  camp. 
The  officers'  quarters  were  arranged  close  by  the  bank  of 
the  river ;  the  cook  tents  were  placed  under  the  levee ; 
between  these  were  the  Company  streets. 

The  adjoining  forests  furnished  abundant  material  for 
the  construction  of  shady  arbors.  In  a  few  days,  the 
whole  camp,  tents,  streets  and  all,  were  deeply  embowered 
in  a  dense  green  covering  of  vines  and  boughs.  So  in 
tense  was  the  heat  at  this  season  of  the  year,  that  even 
this  cool  shade  was  not  impervious  to  the  burning  effects 
of  the  sun. 

During  the  day  time,  the  troops  could  do  but  little  else 
than  lie  in  their  tents  in  light  costume,  being  continually 
drenched  with  the  most  copious  perspiration.  In  early 
morning  and  late  in  the  evening,  they  were  employed  in 
military  exercises,  or  in  gymnastic  sports. 

The  effect  of  this  climate  upon  the  new  Regiments  was 
truly  appalling.  While  the  acclimated  members  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  were  enjoying  a  complete 
immunity  from  disease,  all  around  was  daily  heard  the 
death  march  of  military  funerals.  Scurvy  and  chronic 


362          RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

diarrhea  were  carrying  off  thousands  of  victims  to  un 
timely  graves.  The  army  was  now  in  daily  communica 
tion  with  New  Orleans  and  St.  Louis,  and  all  the  while 
news  boys  were  running  through  the  camps  continually 
shouting,  "  Here's  the  New  Orleans  Era-a--a ! "  "  Here's 
your  Missouri  Democrat  and  Republican ! "  "  Latest 
Northern  paper-rs ! " 

The  appointment  of  General  Grant  to  the  command  of 
the  armies  of  the  United  States,  and  his  subsequent  opera 
tions  in  the  Wilderness,  were  news  which  delighted  the 
iriten  to  read. 

Upon  the  day  the  army  arrived  at  Morganza,  an  order 
was  published  which  excited  considerable  comment  among 
the  troops.  The  substance  of  this  order  was  that  "'the 
Nineteenth  Corps  hold  itself  in  readiness  to  move 
either  up  or  down  the  river  at  an  hour's  notice."  Steamers 
were  to  be  kept  in  readiness  for  this  purpose.  "Now," 
said  the  men,  "  we  are  to  have  no  more  marching  ;  all  the 
work  we  will  have  to  do  in  future,  will  be  to  ride  around 
and  guard  the  river."  Notwithstanding  the  hopes  en 
tertained,  this  order  was  never  put  into  practical  execution. 

Although  many  Brigades  and  detachments  were  kept 
actively  employed  on  long  and  arduous  expeditions  and 
reconnoissances,  while  the  army  was  lying  at  Morganza, 
yet  the  First  Brigade  was  singularly  exempt f  from  such 
labors.  Never  before  had  the.  Regiment  spent  forty  days 
in  such  absolute  idleness  as  at  this  camp.  Whole  weeks 
were  passed  in  doing  nothing  else  than  lying  in  the  doors  ' 
of  tents  and  watching  the  movement  of  steamers  on  the 
river,  in  reading  newspapers,  in  angling  for  cat-fish,  in 
making  occasional  calls  upon  Mike,  the  sutler,  or  in-  light 
camp  duties.  By  day  the  camp  bore  a  stillness  that 
gave  it  the  appearance  of  being  deserted  j  but  when 


AKD  FOURTEENTH  REGIME^.  368 

evening  came,  the  latent  spirits  of  the  men  were  revived. 
Even  the  officers  at  such  time  were  unable  to  restrain  a 
disposition  for  jollity,  and  in  the  dead  of  night  would 
pass  around  among  each  other's  quarters,  and  pull  down 
tents  over  the  heads  of  sleeping  inmates.  The  offenders, 
when  detected,  were  court  martialed,  of  course,  and  being 
invariably  found  "  guilty,"  were  sentenced  to  pay  a  for 
feit,  subject  to  the  approval  of  Mike. 

On  the  llth  of  June,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  re 
viewed  by  General  Emory,  as  a  prelude  to  a  grand  review 
announced  soon  to  take  place.  Every  one  bestowed  ex 
traordinary  care  in  the  preparation  of  his  toilet,  and  in 
the  polish  of  his  equipments.  -At  2  o'clock,  the  Regiment 
marched  to  the  ground"  selected  for  the  display,  which 
was  an  open,  grassy  plain,  half  a  mile  back  from  the 
river.  Some  little  time  was  occupied  in  the  formation 
of  the  troops,  and  when  at  last  the  ceremony  commenced, 
a  black  cloud  had  overspread  the  sky,  which  suddenly 
poured  down  a  perfect  torrent  of  rain.  In  an  instant  the 
scene  changed.  Neatly  dressed  men  were  quickly  drip 
ping  and  drooping  objects  of  pity.  Paper  collars  melted 
away — immaculate  white  gloves  became  horribly  stain 
ed — brasses  became  tarnished  to  a  dingy  hue — glossy 
boots  were  plastered  with  mud.  Drums  refused  to  sound, 
and  brass  instruments  uttered  a  discordant  noise.  The 
effect  was  so  indescribably  ludicrous,  that  the  men  forgot 
the  propriety  due  the  time  and  place,  and  burst  forth  in 
cheers  and  shouts  of  laughter,  in  which  all  joined,  from 
the  highest  to  the  lowest.  Nevertheless,  the  ceremony 
was  carried  through  to  the  end. 

"  "We  are  but  warriors  for  the  working  day  ; 
Our  gayness  and  our  gilt  are  all  besmirch  'd 
With  rainy  marching  in  the  painful  field." 
M 


864  RBCOED  OF  TUB  oVfc   HUKDRED 


June  14th,  the  entire  army  was  again  reviewed  in  the 
afternoon,  by  Major  General  Daniel  E.  Sickles,  who  was 
in  the  Department  of  the  Gulf,  upon  a  toiir  of  inspection. 
This  time  the  parade  passed  off  without  anything  to  mar4 
the  beauty  of  the  display.  This  was  the  grandest 
pageant  that  the  Regiment,  up  to  this  time,  had  witnessed. 
General  Sickles  was  a  fine  looking  officer,  and  his  deport 
ment  so  graceful  and  dignified  as  to  win  the  admiration 
of  every  soldier. 

And  yet  another  review  occurred  soon  after.  On  the 
25th  of  June,  Major  General  Reynolds  relieved  General 
Franklin,  and  upon  assuming  command,  reviewed  the 
troops  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,,  The  affair  passed  off 
satisfactorily. 

On  Sunday,  June  19th,  a  sad  accident  occurred. 
Geprge  Luther,  of  Company  I,  was  drowned  while  bath 
ing  in  the  Mississippi.  He  was  a  worthy  young  man  and 
an  excellent  soldier. 

June  20th,  the  Regiment  was  paid  off  by  Major 
Folsom. 

About  this  time,  several  changes  took  place  in  the 
organization  of  the  army,  the  most  important  of  which. 
was  the  disbanding  of  the  Thirteenth  Corps,  and  the  con 
solidation  of  all  the  troops  in  the  Department  with 
the  Nineteenth.  Brigadier  General  B.  S.  Roberts  was 
also  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  First  Division.  He 
held  this  position  but  a  few  days. 

On  the  last  day  of  the  month  the  men  were  again 
mustered  for  pay. 

July  1st  came,  and  found  the  camps  in  an  unusual 
state  of  quietude.  The  soldiers  were  sleeping,  or  in  shirt 
sleeves  sitting  in  the  shade,  smoking  pipes,  chatting,  and 
enjoying  their  otiiim  sine  dignitate.  While  all  were 


AND  FOURTEENTH   RBGIMVVT.  365 

wondering  at  the  continued  inactivity  of  the  army,  the 
••amp  was  thrown  into  a  state  of  wild  excitement. 

"  Be  ready  to  proceed  aboard  vessels  in  half  an  hour," 
was  an  order  that  passed  from  company  to  company. 
"  Strike  your  tents  quickly,  men,"  the  officers  shouted. 
Amid  the  scramble  and  flurry,  the  camps  soon  disappear 
ed,  and  the  ground  was  covered  with  a  line  of  troops. 
At  sundown  the  Regiment  marched  to  the  steamboat 
landing,  in  connection  with  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty- 
Third  New  York,  and  Division  Head-quarters,  and  went 
upon  the  decks  of  the  steamer  Crescent.  A  large  num 
ber  of  vessels  were  arriving  and  departing,  loaded  with 
troops.  Nearly  the  whole  army  appeared  to  have  joined 
in  the  sudden  and  universal  stampede.  Some  would  have 
it  that  the  enemy  had  made  a  sudden  and  alarming  dem 
onstration  in  some  quarter,  that  required  to  be  quickly 
check-mated  on  the  part  of  the  Federals.  Strange  things 
happen  now-a-days.  Perhaps  New  Orleans  is  in  danger. 
Who  can  tell  ?  Texas,  Mobile,  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac,  all  had  advocates  among  the  men,  touching  their 
destination. 

*By  10  o'clock,  the  Crescent,  having  been  loaded  with 
soldiers,  camp  equipage,  baggage  and  horses,  turnecl  into 
the  stream  and  started  down  the  river.  When  morning 
came,  they  found  themselves  below  Baton  Rouge,  still 
gliding  through  the  turbid  current.  Passing  Donaldson- 
ville,  at  noon  they  came  in  sight  of  New  Orleans.  Mov 
ing  up  to  the  crowded  docks,  General  Emory  disembarked, 
when  the  vessel  floated  out  into  the  middle  of  the  stream, 
and  anchored. 

This  was  really  annoying  to  the  men,  to  be  confined 
upon  a  hot  and  crowded  ship,  in  the  midst  of  a  great 
city.  They  fretted  under  restraint,  and  were  anxious  to 


366  RECORD  OF  THE  ONB  HUNDRED 

get  into  the  turmoil  and  excitement  of  the  town,  and 
-enjoy  a  few  hours  in  sight-seeing.  The  afternoon  wore 
away,  as  they  lay  around  the  decks,  gazing  upon  the 
busy  levee,  watching  the  movements  of  every  species  of 
steamboats,  and  listening  to  the  monotonous  cries  of 
stevedores,  and  the  drowsy  songs  of  gangs  of  negroes. 

At  sundown  the  sailors  weighed  anchor,  when  the 
Crescent  steamed  up  the  river  about  a  mile,  to  a  place 
called  Bull's  Head.  Here  the  vessel  was  made  fast  to  the 
dock,  and  the  crew  commenced  to  load  on  coal. 

.At  daybreak  of  July  3d,  the  men  were  aroused  and 
ordered  ashore.  Having  formed  a  line,  the  troops  tramp 
ed  on  the  clean  pavements,  followed  by  a  crowd  of  noisy 
boys  and  a  troupe  of  swarthy  female  peddlers.  Proceed 
ing  some  distance  through  Tchopoutoulas  Street, 
(pronounced  Chop-o-tu-lah,)  at  the  corner  of  Robbins 
Street,  the  column  passed  through  a  wide  gate  into  the 
Alabama  Cotton  Press,  one  of  those  immense  establish 
ments  which  are  so  common  in  New  Orleans. 

It  was  a  low  brick  building,  occupying  an  entire 
square,  with  a  hollow  court  in  the  centre.  Its  large 
yard  and  long  corridors  were  empty ;  its  powerful  press 
was  lying  idle  and  rusty.  Here  the  soldiers  were  quar 
tered,  and  a  strong  guard  was  posted  to  prevent  their 
wandering  out  into  the  city.  Yet  during  the  day  a  con 
siderable  number  of  the  men  secured  passes,  or  by  some 
species  of  cunning  obtained  access  to  the  town.  They 
wandered  about  the  streets,  and  observed  with  interest 
the  many  curiosities  of  this  peculiar  city.  Although  it 
was  Sunday,  they  found  the  shops  and  stores  open,  driv 
ing  a  lively  business.  Drays,  cabs  and  cars  rumbled 
through  the  streets.  Around  the  doors  of  the  theatres, 
crowds  of  people  were  assembled,  seeking  to  obtaiH  ad- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  367 

mission.  Public  squares  were  filled  with  sportive 
children.  The  great  French  market  swarmed  with 
a  noisy,  chattering,  gesticulating  multitude  of  French 
men,  Spaniards,  Creoles,  Germans,  Irish,  Africans  and 
Mulattoes.  A  perfect  Babel  of  languages,  yet  all  were  in 
wonderful  good  humor,  as  they  sipped  their  tiny  cups  of 
coifee,  or  partook  of  some  dainty  French  dish.  Nothing 
served  to  remind  the  stranger  that  it  was  the  holy  Sabbath, 
save  the  melody  of  the  Cathedral  chimes,  or  the  occasion 
al  tinkling  of  some  convent  bell. 

New  Orleans,  in  the  great  number  and  elegance  of  its 
restaurants  and  drinking  saloons,  rivals  any  other  city  of 
the  Union.  These  are  thronged,  night  and  day,  by  a 
hungry  and  thirsty  multitude.  Canal  Street,  running 
east  and  west,  divides  the  city  into  two  nearly  equal 
parts.  The  lower  portion  is  called  "  French  Quarter." 
Here  one  may  stroll  for  hours  without  hearing  his  native 
tongue,  or  be  able  to  read  a  single  sign  over  the  shops. 
The  streets  are  labelled  Hue  de  Jtonrbon,  Hue  de  Hoyale.^ 
and  the  like,  while  the  bulletin  boards  contain  posters  in 
French.  But  the  instant  one  crosses  the  wide  promenade 
of  Canal  Street,  with  its  double  rows  of  trees  through 
its  centre,  he  finds  that  he  is  no  longer  "  a  straggler  from 
another  civilization,"  but  is  in  a  thorough-going  Ameri 
can  city. 

With  the  exception  of  the  City  Hall  and  the  Custom 
House,  New  Orleans  is  built  mostly  of  brick  and  stucco. 
The  finest  churches  and  hotels  are  shabby,  from  the  con 
tinual  peeling  off  of  their  outer  coat  of  plaster.  Yet, 
take  it  all  in  all,  New  Orleans  is  really  an  elegant  city ; 
and  were  it  not  for  the  terrible  epidemics  that  so  often 
visit  it,  it  would  be  a  desirable  place  in  which  to  live. 

To  return  to  the  Alabama  Cotton  Press.  It  was  found 
that  preparations  were  being  made  for  a  voyage  at  sea. 


368  BECOKD  OF  THB  ONB  HUWDKBD 

Orders  had  been  received  for  the  Regiment  to  proceed 
aboard  the  steamer  Sophia.  Upon  investigation  it  was 
found  that  she  was  a  small,  filthy,  unseaworthy 
cattle-boat.  Mindful  of  the  bitter  experience  upon  the 
Thames,  Colonel  Per  Lee  and  the  officers  protested 
against  being  placed,  with  their  men,  upon  such  a  craft. 
In  the  evening,  other  arrangements  were  made.  Four 
Companies,  B,  G,  K  and  E,  under  command  of  Major 
Curtis,  were  ordered  to  jre-embark  upon  the  Crescent, 
with  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third  New  York. 
Soon,  they  were  within  the  iron  hulk  of  this  side-wheel 
steamer,  and  at  7  o'clock  the  vessel  had  slipped  her  lines 
and  moved  down  the  river.  The  portion  of  the  Regi 
ment  that  remained,  that  night  slept  in  the  Cotton  Press. 

The  next  day — the  4th  of  July — many  of  the  boys  en 
joyed  an  opportunity  of  witnessing  a  grand  celebration 
in  the  Crescent  City.  Under  the  delightful  shade  of  La- 
Fayette  Square,  converted  into  a  vast  amphitheatre,  Gen 
erals  Banks  and  Sickles  delivered  orations,  and  three 
thousand  school  children,  aided  by  all  the  military  bands 
of  the  Department,  sang  national  airs.  A  couple  of 
batteries,  and  the  different  bells  of  the  city,  were  added 
to  the  chorus,  by  means  of  electrical  machinery.  Voices, 
bands,  bells  and  cannon  conspired  to  make  it  the  grand 
est  music  ever  heard. 

When  our  men  returned  from  the  celebration,  it  was 
discovered  that  a  few  had  been  celebrating  on  their  own 
account,  and  were  unusually  enthusiastic  and  exultant 
over  the  achievements  which  the  day  commemorates. 
However,  all  were  sedate  enough  by  5  o'clock,  to  proceed 
aboard  the  propeller  Corinthian,  which  was  a  second 
edition  of  the  Thames,  only  a  little  better,  the  "  rejected 
Sophia  "  being  a  good  deal  worse.  At  daylight  of  the 
5th,  they  too  set  sail  down  the  river. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  369 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

Three  thousand  men  of  war, 
Are  making  liither^vith  all  due  expedience, 
And  shortly  mean  to  touch  our  northern  shore. 

KING  RICHARD  II. 

Iii  order  to  record  events  in  their  chronological  order, 
let  us  follow  the  fortunes  of  the  detachment  which  de 
parted  upon  the  Crescent.  It  was  dark  when  that  vessel 
left  Xew  Orleans,  and  in  a  short  time  the  men  were  fast 
asleep.  When  the  morning  of  the  4th  dawned,  the  ship 
crossed  the  bar  at  South- West  Pass.  Soon  the  pilot  was 
discharged,  when  the  officer  commanding,  Colonel  Davis, 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third,  opened  his  sealed 
orders,  and  read  as  follows  :  V '.*•'*?• 

"  You  will  proceed  direct  to  Fortress  Monroe,  Old 
Point  Comfort,  Virginia,  where  you  will  report  to  the 
commanding  officer,  when  you  will  receive  further  orders 
through  Brigadier  General  Emory,  commanding  detach 
ment  of  Nineteenth  Army  Corps.  On  account  of  the 
prevalence  of  yellow  fever  at  Key  West,  you  are  ordered 
to  avoid  that  place,  unless  obliged  .to  put  into  port  from 
stress  of  weather." 

The  question  was  settled.  They  were  going  to  "  Old 
Virginny."  The  men  generally  were  glad  of  it,  yet 
were  serious  when  they  strained  their  eyes  to  obtain  a 
last  glimpse  of  Louisiana.  Their  old  stamping  ground — 
the  country  where  they  had  learned  to  be  veterans — over 
which  they  had  marched  nearly  fifteen  hundred  miles, 
and  won  six  battles — where,  in  fact  they  had  achieved  all 


370  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

the  reputation  they  then  possessed — they  were  leaving 
behind  them  forever.  When  they  thought  of  the  sacri 
fices  there  made — of  the  winning  youth,  of  the  noble 
manhood,  of  the  brave  leaderships  there  offered  up — they 
were  sad. 

The  first  day  of  the  voyage  was  one  of  great  heat,  and 
the  sea  as  smooth  aB  a  pond.  'The  men  sweltered  within 
the  iron  walls  of  the  vessel,  and  were  compelled  to  gasp 
for  breath.  It  was  an  unpleasant  4th  of  July. 

On  the  5th,  they  hailed  a  man-of-war,  with  a  monitor 
in  tow.  Another  torrid  day  passed  slowly  away.  It 
seemed  that  the  sky  overhead  was  a  furnace,  and  under 
neath  was  a  sea  of  molten  glass. 

The  6th  was  but  a  continuation  of  calm,  hot  weather. 
They  passed  within  a  few  miles  of  Dry  Tortugas,  and 
had  an  excellent  view  of  Fort  Jefferson,  one  of  the  great 
est  defensive  works  in  the  United  States.  At  noon  they 
were  in  sight  of  Key  West. 

Several  pleasant  days  passed,  without  anything  of 
special  interest  occurring.  The  men  were  impatient  to 
have  the  voyage  finished,  and  were  looking  forward  with 
dread  to  the  time  when  they  would  round  the  dangerous 
Cape  Hatteras.  They  were  suffering  every  kind  of  dis 
comfort,  from  being  herded  together  like  so  many  cattle 
within  such  narrow  confines. 

On  the  afternoon  of  July  9th,  while  sailing  over  a  quiet 
sea,  they  passed  Hatteras  Inlet,  and  in  the  evening  the 
light-house  on  the  Cape  was  far  astern. 

The  forenoon  of  the  10th,  the  Crescent  came  insight  of 
Cape  Henry,  and  soon  took  aboard  a  pilot.  As  they 
sailed  forward,  the  heavy  stone  walls  of  Fortress  Mon 
roe,  the  little  rocky  island  of  the  Rip  Raps,  the  shores, 
forests  and  houses  everv  moment  came  more  distinct!  v  in 


AKD  FOtTRTKBNTH  REGTMKNT.  371 

view.     At  12  o'clock  the  vessel,  among  a  fleet  of  steam 
ers,  dropped  anchor  close  under  the  guns  of  the  Fortress. 

While  the  men  stood  upon  the  decks,  and  gazed  upon 
the  familiar  and  beautiful  scenery,  they  were  joyful  in 
the  hope  that  their  voyage  was  now  at  an  end.  Soon 
they  expected  to  be  released  from  confinement,  and  enjoy 
the  pleasures  of  wandering  upon  those  green  shores. 
Delusive  hope  !  Colonel  Davis  immediately  went  ashore 
in  &  small  boat,  and  soon  returned  with  the  order  to 
"  proceed  to  Washington."  Here  was  a  turn  of  events 
the  most  unexpected,  yet  all  the  more  exciting. 

"  So,  then,"  the  men  remarked,  "  we  arc  not  going  to 
help  Grant  take  Petersburg." 

"  What  do  they  want  to  do  with  us  in  Washington  ?'* 

"  Are  they  going  to  make  a  sort  of  home  guard  of 
us?" 

Subsequent  events  could  only  answer  such  questions. 
In  half  an  hour  anchor  was  weighed,  and  the  Crescent- 
was  ploughing  the  bright  green  waters  of  the  Chesa 
peake.  It  was  a  beautiful  day,  and  the  men  remained  on 
deck  to  view  the  hazy  shores  on  either  side,  and  the 
white  sails  scattered  over  the  bay. 

At  sundown,  anchor  was  cast  near  a  light-ship  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Potomac  River,  the  pilot  being  unwilling 
to  risk  the  safety  of  the  vessel,  by  passing  over  the 
shoals  in  the  darkness  of  night. 

By  4  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  the  llth,  the  steamer 
was  again  under  headway,  moving  up  the  Potomac.  The 
shores  of  Virginia  upon  the  one  side,  and  Maryland  upon 
the  other,  with  their  hills  and  dales  and  wood — their 
fruitful  fields  of  grass  and  grain,  especially  in  "  My 
Maryland,"  which  were  being  gathered  in — greeted  with 
delight  our  soldiers'  eyes,  and  cheered  and  warmed  their 
hearts. 


S72  EJilCOKD  OF  THE  O.NJE  HUNJJKJSD 


For  many  long  months,  far  away  "  down  in  Dixie," 
suck  variegated  scenery,  such  bright  visions  of  home  and 
home  life,  had  not  before  met  their  view.  The  labors  of 
the  more  northern  husbandman,  and  pictures  more  or  less 
exact  of  their  own  little  farms  and  homesteads,  were 
with  all  their  charms  before  them.  After  being  so  long 
upon  the  level  low-lands  of  Louisiana,  the  hills  in  parti  c- 
lar  seemed  endowed  with  fresh  interest. 

In  passing  Mount  Vernon,  the  home  and  tomb  ot 
Washington,  all  hearts  throbbed  with  hallowed  emotions 
—  all  eyes  were  eagerly  intent.  Sensations  akin  to  vene 
ration  came  over  them,  as  they  beheld  through  the  deep 
green  verdure  the  place  where  the  good  man  died,  and 
the  tomb  in  which  he  was  buried. 

"There  rests  the  Man,  the  flower  of  human  kind. 
Whose  visage  mild  bespoke  MB  nobler  mind  : 
There  rests  the  Soldier,  who  his  sword  ne'er  drew 
But  in  a  righteous  cause,  to  Freedom  true  ; 
There  rests  the  Hero,  who  ne'er  fought  for  fame, 
Yet  gained  more  glory  than  a  Caesar's  name  ; 
There  rests  the  Statesman,  who,  devoid  of  art, 
Gave  soundest  counsels  from  an  upright  heart." 

Fort  Washington,  built  upon  an  eminence  nearly  oppo 
site  to  Mount  Vernon,  presented  a  commanding  and  formi 
dable  appearance.  Soon  after,  the  massive  white  dome  of 
the  Capitol  appeared  in  view,  standing  out  like  a  cloud 
in  the  bright  sky.  Gliding  swiftly  by  the  tall  spires  and 
brick  ware-houses  of  the  •  city  of  Alexandria,  at  a  few 
minutes  past  12  the  Crescent  made  fast  to  the  docks  at 
Washington,  among  a  long  row  of  other  vessels  laden 
with  soldiers. 

Instantly  the  docks  were  crowded  with  pie-women  and 
news-boys.  Well  dressed  citizens  were  there,  too,  in 


AND  FOUKTJSE2STH  KEG1MEST. 

goodly  numbers.  Pushing  their  way  close  up  to  the 
vessel,  they  greeted  the  boys  with  smiles  and  words  of 
welcome.  The  men  rushed  to  the  side  of  the  steamer,  to 
view  the  unusual  sight,  and  converse  with  the  people. 

"  I  tell  you,"  said  a  gentleman  in  the  crowd,  "  we're 
mighty  glad  to  see  you  here,  boys.  These  are  pretty 
scarey  times  with  us,  and  you  are  the  only  ones  that  can 
save  us." 

"  Why,  what's  the  trouble  up  here  ?"  inquired  one  of 
our  men. 

"  Haven't  you  heard,"  said  a  by-stander,  "  that  the  city 
k.surrounded  with  rebs  ?" 

"  No  ;  is  that  so  ?" 

"  Yes,  and  they  have  cut  our  rail  roads  and  telegraphs,, 
and  we  haven't  heard  from  the  North  in  several  days., 
But  the  worst  of  it  is,  there  ain't  any  soldiers  here  but 
three  months'  men  and  a  few  militia,  to  guard  the  city." 

"  Well,  I  reckon  we  can  'tend  to  them  fellers,"  a  soldier 
said,  with  a  grim  smile. 

"We  know  it,"  "  We  know  it,"  a  chorus  of  voices 
responded,  while  joy  glowed  upon  the  countenance  of 
every  one  in  the  throng. 

The  Capital  of  the  Nation  was  in  danger.  Lively 
work  was  in  prospect,  and  the  men  commenced  to  nerve 
themselves  for  the  trials  of  battle. 

With  but  little  delay  the  four  Companies,  and  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fifty-Third,  were  marched  off  the  boat, 
and  the  men  set  their  feet  upon  the  land  within  eight 
days  from  the  time  they  left  New  Orleans.  They  were 
the  first  troops  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  that  landed  in 
Washington,  and  excited  particular  interest  from  having 
come  so  far  from  the  South,,  a  ml  especially  from  their - 
swarthy  olive  complexions. 


374  BBCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  wharves  and  streets  were  filled  with  other  troops, 
'which  proved  to  be  the  Sixth  Corps,  which  had  been  de 
tached  from  Grant's  army,  and  sent  to  the  relief  of  the 
Capital. 

It  was  quite  certain  that  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was 
ordered  North  for  the  purpose  of  re-enforcing  the  Army 
•of  the  Potomac  at  Petersburg,  but  the  first  transport  ar 
riving  at  Fortress  Monroe  at  the  exact  time  that  the 
news  of  the  rebel  raid  into  Maryland  was  received,  they 
were  hurried  forward  to  the  defense  of  the  Capital,  and 
if  necessary,  of  more  northern  towns  and  cities.  The 
most  trifling  circumstances  sometimes  change  the  desti 
nies  of  an  army. 

A  few  minutes  after  landing,  our  men  were  formed  into 
•line,  and  marched  through  the  city,  with  music  and  float- 
ting  banners.  At  every  step  that  they  advanced,  the 
excitement  among  the  people  grew  more  and  more 
intense.  The  sidewalks  were  filled  with  men,  women  and 
children,  cheering  and  waving  handkerchiefs  in  the  most 
enthusiastic  manner.  In  the  eyes  of  our  men,  every 
body  looked  pale  and  ghastly,  so  they  could  not  help 
from  remarking  to  each  other,  "  Why,  how  white  these 
people  are."  "  They  look  awful  sickly."  On  the  other 
hand,  the  citizens  were  astonished  at  the  dark  complexions 
of  the  soldiers. 

'  As  the  column  swung  along  over  the  pavements,  the 
stones  ringing  with  the  steady  tramp  of  feet,  the  boys 
continually  heard  remarks  from  the  by-standers,  that  filled 
their  hearts  with  a  soldier's  pride.  A  troop  of  boys 
heralded  their  approach,  shouting,  "The  veterans  are 
coming !"  Even  the  ladies  joined  in  with  flattering 
words.  "  These  are  the  real  soldiers."  "  They  know 
it  is  to  fight."  "  I  haven't  got  any  fears  for  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  375 

safety  of  the  city  now  " — were  compliments  they  heard 
on  every  hand. 

In  one  part  of  the  march,  the  boys  observed  a  volun 
teer  militia  company,  composed  of  Department  clerks 
and  citizens,  drilling  in  the  streets.  The  sight  threw  the 
men  into  perfect  convulsions.  They  saw  men  hitching 
and  stumbling  along,  wearing  stove-pipe  hats  and  kid 
gloves.  Some  were  seen  in  the  ranks,  with  umbrellas 
over  their  heads  ;  others  were  flourishing  dandy  canes  ; 
and  all  were  attired  in  the  latest  style  of  fashion. 

Passing  by  the  Smithsonian  Institute,  with  its  cluster 
of  red  towers  and  pinnacles,  and  the  massive  marble  pile 
of  the  Capitol,  the  troops  emerged  into  the  country  upon 
the  northern  side  of  the  city.  Halting  by  the  side  of  the 
road  to  rest,  a  couple  of  ladies  came  out  of  a  house  near 
by,  and  treated  nearly  all  the  boys  with  a  delicious  glass 
of  wine.  Such  attentions  on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants 
were  none  the  less  appreciated,  from  the  fact  that  for  a 
year  and  a  half  our  men  had  been  in  the  inhospitable 
region  of  rebeldom. 

Continuing  their  march  three  miles  further,  among 
groves  and  suburban  residences,  near  sundown  they 
reached  Fort  Saratoga,  one  of  the  many  earthworks  that 
form  a  chain  of  defense  around  the  city. 

The  booming  of  heavy  caunon  on  the  left,  and  the  oc 
casional  crack  of  a  musket  in  the  front,  gave  notice  that 
they  were  near  the  enemy.  While  waiting  for  orders, 
the  men  laid  down  upon  the  ground  and  courted  sleep. 
At  midnight  they  were  aroused,  and  ordered  to  throw 
away  their  old  cartridges,  and  fill  their  boxes  with  new 
ones. 

At  3  o'clock,  the  Companies  were  ordered  out  to  man 
the  rifle  pits  between  Forts  Saratoga  and  Bunker  HilL 


376  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

During  the  forenoon  of  the  12th,  the  men  lay  in  the 
trenches,  while  everything  was  quiet  on  the  part  of  the 
enemy.  Great  numbers  of  citizens  were  constantly  visit 
ing  the  breastworks,  extremely  anxious  to  get  a  sight  of 
the  enemy,  and  view  a  genuine  battle.  In  most  cases, 
though,  their  fear  was  greater  than  their  curiosity.  Re 
maining  a  few  minutes,  they  would  skulk  off  to  the  rear, 
especially  after  our  boys  had  told  them  monstrous  and 
alarming  stories  concerning  the  strength  and  proximity 
of  the  rebels. 

At  noon  they  were  moved  to  the  rear  of  Fort  Thayer, 
and  ordered  to  encamp  upon  a  knoll  within  a  pleasant 
gro^e.  From  here  details  of  sharp  shooters  were  sent 
out  upon  different  parts  of  the  works,  from  Fort  Sarato 
ga  across  the  track  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Rail  Road, 
to  Fort  Lincoln. 

That  night  they  received  some  bread  and  coffee,  the 
first  food  they  had  tasted  since  landing.  The  same  even 
ing  a  part  of  the  Sixth  Corps  made  a  charge  in  front  of 
Fort  Stevens,  which  brought  to  an  end  the  siege  of 
Washington.  In  the  night  the  enemy  fled,  and  the  Sixth 
Oorps  instantly  started  in  pursuit,  while  our  men  lay  in 
camp  awaiting  orders  to  march. 

Dismissing  the  detachment  under  Major  Curtis,  at  this 
place,  let  us  return  and  learn  of  the  six  Companies  who, 
under  charge  of  Colonel  Per  Lee,  sailed  from  New  Or 
leans  on  the  propeller  Corinthian,  a  day  and  a  half  later. 

With  trifling  exceptions,  the  recital  of  their  voyage  to 
Washington  would  be  but  a  repetition  of  that  of  the 
Crescent.  After  the  excitement  of  learning  their  destina 
tion  (when  across  the  bar  of  South- West  Pass)  had  sub 
sided,  their  cruise  was  one  of  great  monotony,  sailing  for 
the  whole  distance  over  a  smooth  and  placid  sea. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  '377 

Captain  Guptill,  commander  of  the  Corinthian,  wa«  a 
jolly  Texan  refugee,  and  formerly  resided  near  the  Forts 
of  Sabirie  Pass.  He  was  well  acquainted  with  their 
position  and  strength,  and  related  many  interesting  facts 
which  rendered  the  stupendous  "  fizzle  "  of  the  Sabine 
Pass  expedition  even  more  ridiculous. 

The  men  and  officers,  like  those  on  the  Crescent,  suffer 
ed  terribly  from  the  heat,  and  would  have  been  much 
more  overcome,  had  it  not  been  for  the  "  cooler  "^n  the 
private  room  of  the  Captain,  upon  the  upper  decks.  He 
had  met  some  of  our  men  before,  when  he  had  charge  of 
the  Southern  Merchant,  on  the  bayous  of  Louisiana. 

They  passed  in  full  view  of  Cuba  and  some  of  the 
Bahama  Islands. 

On  the  evening  of  July  9th,  an  incident  occurred 
which  relieved  somewhat  the  tedium  of  the  voyage. 
They  spoke  the  barque  Mary  Bently,  three  days  from 
Havana,  freighted  with  sugar  and  molasses  for  New 
York.  The  master  of  the  Corinthian  and  Colonel  Per 
Lee  boarded  her,  returning  with  a  variety  of  fruit, 
among  which  were  bananas,  limes  and  sweet  potatoes — 
also  turtles  and  cigars — making  altogether  a  nice  treat. 
The  wife  of  the  Captain  of  the  barque  was  somewhat 
frightened  at  their  appearance,  thinking  their  vessel 
might  be  the  pirate  Florida^  but  the  faculty  of  Colonel 
Per  Lee  in  playing  the  agreeable,  and  making  himself  at 
home  among  the  tender  sex,  soon  dispelled  the  old  lady's 
fears. 

By  noon  of  July  12th,  the  Corinthian  made  fast  to  the 
dock  at  Fortress  Monroe,  and  spent  an  hour  coaling. 
Receiving  there  the  order  to  proceed  to  "Washington,  the 
voyage  was  continued  to  that  place.  Sailing  up  the 
Potomac,  the  same  charming  scenery  witnessed  by  the 


378  RECORD  OF  THE  ONB  HUNDRED 

others,  was  presented  to  view.  They  had  an  exciting 
race  with  the  St.  Mary,  a  side-wheel  steamer,  in  which 
the  latter  was  the  victor. 

At  1  P.  M.  of  July  13th,  they  landed  at  the  wharves  of 
Washington,  along  with  the  other  Regiments  of  the 
First  Brigade,  who  disembarked  from  different  vessels  at 
the  same  time.  Under  the  leadership  of  the  Brigade 
commander,  Colonel  Beal,  they  marched  through  Wash 
ington,  receiving  a  joyful  welcome  from  the  citizens. 

Near  sundown,  the  Regiment  and  Brigade  were  once 
more  united  at  Fort  Thayer.  Instantly  orders  were  put 
into  execution,  to  commence  the  pursuit  of  the  rebel 
army.  Then  began  a  campaign  usually  designated  as 
the  SNICKER'S  GAP  EXPEDITION,  aB  described  in  the 
following  chapter. 


AND  FOUKTEENTH  KKGIMEHT.  379 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

These  high  wild  hills,  and  rough  uneven  ways, 
Draw  out  our  miles,  and  make  them  wearisome. 

KING  RICH ABP  II. 

In  the  moonlight  of  a  pleasant  evening,  the  column 
tramped  along  the  military  road,  which  passes  from  fort 
to  fort  around  the  city  of  Washington.  For  eight 
miles  it  continued  in  a  westerly  course,  towards  the 
river,  moving  in  the  deep  shade  of  groves,  past  elegant 
residences,  occasionally  mounting  some  knoll,  where  the 
heavy  embankments  and  white  barracks  of  some  fort 
loomed  up  in  silent  grandeur.  At  10  o'clock  they  en 
camped  upon  an  open,  grassy  field,  near  the  little  village 
of  Tenallytown. 

Resuming  the  inarch  at  8  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  14th,  they 
passed  through  the  town,  and  turning  to  the  left,  pursued 
what  is  termed  the  Ridge-road,  following  in  the  track  of 
the  Sixth  Corps.  Major  General  Q.  A.  Gillniore  had  been 
assigned  to  the  command  of  the  army,  but  just  before 
leaving  Tenallytown  he  was  thrown  from  his  horse, 
injuring  him  so  severely  that  he  was  unable  to  proceed 
further,  and  the  command  devolved  upon  Major  General 
II.  G.  Wright,  of  the  Sixth  Corps. 

The  march  that  day  was  one  of  extraordinary  interest 
to  the  men.  It  was  so  novel  and  exciting  to  walk  up 
and  down  the  hills  once  more — to  cross  clear  and  babbling 
brooks — to  rest  in  the  shade  of  maple  and  beach  forests — 
to  sip  pure  cold  water  from  springs  gurgling  out  of  rocky 
cliffs — to  view  waving  fields  of  grain — in  fact,  to  see  all 


380  RECORD  OF  TITK  ONK   HUNDRKO 

the  attractive  features  of  a  northern  landscape'.  They 
passed  through  an  extremely  hilly  and  rocky  country, 
abounding  in  large  forests,  alternating  with  beautiful 
fertile  farms.  The  unfortunate  husbandmen  had  lost 
nearly  all  their  horses  and  cattle,  they  having  been  driven 
away  by  the  rebel  raiders,  and  of  course  were  very  dem 
onstrative  in  their  welcome  to  our  troops.  It  was  report 
ed  by  the  citizens  that  the  enemy  had  re-crossed  the 
river,  driving  with  them  two  thousand  head  of  cattle. 
At  5  o'clock  the  Regiment  camped  on  a  high  hill  near 
the  Potomac. 

On  the  morning  of  the  loth,  the  march  was  resumed, 
again  passing  through  an  uneven,  but  rich  farming  dis 
trict.  It  was  tiresome  to  the  men  to  climb  the  hills,  but 
this  discomfort  was  compensated  by  the  excellent  water 
they  found  on  every  hand. 

There  was  one  thing  in  the  march  that  astonished  the 
soldiers  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  more  than  anything 
else.  Accustomed  as  they  had  been  to  the  strictest  dis 
cipline,  as  regards  falling  out  of  the  ranks  and  straggling, 
and  having  read  so  much  in  the  papers  of  the  superior 
efficiency  and  subordination  of  the  Army  of  the  Poto 
mac,  they  were  surprised  to  observe  all  along  the  road, 
through  a  whole  day's  march,  hundreds  upon  hundreds  of 
the  Sixth  Corps.  Every  night,  before  they  went  into 
camp,  the  road  would  be  lined  with  detached  squads  of 
stragglers,  who  had  established  little  camps  on  private 
account,  and  were  preparing  to  spend  a  night  away  from 
their  commands.  Yet  these  men  all  wore  red,  white  and 
blue  crosses  upon  their  caps. 

Passing  through  a  little  settlement  called  Kushville, 
and  fording  Seneca  Creek,  a  swift  mountain  stream,  at  4 
o'clock  the  troops  encamped  upon  comparatively  level 


A>U>  KOVRTKKNTH   RKOIMKNT.  381 

meadows.  They  went  to  sleep  that  night  suppcrless. 
At  no  time  since  entering  the  service  had  our  men  such 
scanty  and  poor  rations,  as  had  been  issued  to  them  here, 
within  a  loyal  State,  and  near  to  the  great  depot  of  sup 
plies  at  Washington.  Had  they  been  within  an  enemy's 
country,  they  would  have  subsisted  upon  the  people,  but 
the  hungry  men  were  very  careful  to  restrain  any  pro 
pensity  for  "  gobbling." 

In  the  morning  a  new  Commissary*  arrived  for  the 
First  Brigade,  with  a  wagon  train  of  provisions,  when 
the  men  appeased  their  appetites. 

July  16th,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  did  not  leave  camp 
till  10  o'clock.  Then  the  men  marched  through  the  di 
lapidated  village  of  Poolesville,  and  a  few  miles  beyond, 
when  they  were  halted  by  the  side  of  the  road,  to  await 
the  passage  of  the  Sixth  Corps  over  the  Potomac  River. 
Nearly  all  the  afternoon  they  rested,  in  expectation  every 
moment  of  an  order  to  move  forward. 

Between  5  and  6  o'clock,  they  fell  into  line  and  de 
scending  a  steep  hill,  crossed  the  dry  bed  of  the  Chesa 
peake  and  Ohio  Canal,  and  came  to  the  bank  of  the 
river  *at  White's  Ford.  An  unusual  sight  here  met  the 
eyes  of  the  men.  From  bank  to  bank,  stretching  across 
the  water  for  six  hundred  feet,  a  column  of  soldiers  were 
floundering,  splashing  and  struggling  against  the  current, 
while  they  were  slowly  moving  over  to  the  opposite  side. 
Quickly  the  boys  made  preparations  for  crossing  the 
stream.  Removing  their  cartridge  boxes  and  haver 
sacks,  they  attached  them  to  the  end  of  their  guns. 
Some  divested  themselves  of  their  shoes  and  stockings, 
and  others  rolled  up  their  trowsers  to  their  hips.  Then 
plunging  into  the  cold  water,  they  slowly  felt  their  way 
*  Captain  H.  S.  Ketehum. 


382  JtBCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

over  the  slippery'rocks.  In  the  middle  of  the  river  the 
water  was  about  waist  deep,  and  there  very  many  un 
lucky  men  who  were  carried  off  their  feet,  receiving  a 
thorough  ducking  before  they  could  recover  themselves. 
A  bevy  of  negro  washerwomen  had  collected  upon  the 
Maryland  bank,  and  were  evidently  in  a  queer  dilemma 
as  to  how  they  could  pass  the  formidable  river.  At 
length,  seeing  all  other  plans  were  futile,  and  perceiving 
that  the  army  was  rapidly  leaving  them  behind,  they 
frantically  lifted  high  their  crinoline,  and  rushed  impetu 
ously  into  the  water,  amid  the  convulsive  shouts  of 
thousands  of  spectators. 

The  troops  entered  Virginia,  shivering  and  dripping 
from  head  to  feet.  The  lines  were  soon  re-formed,  when 
the  army  marched  in  darkness  some  six  miles  further,  and 
encamped  at  9  o'clock,  the  Regiment  occupying  a  newly 
harvested  grain  field. 

Among  our  men  so  lately  from  the  extreme  south,  there 
was  a  great  amount  of  suffering  by  reason  of  the  cold 
uights.  They  had  not  blankets  and  clothing  enough  to 
give  them  any  relief. 

The  1 7th  of  July,  no  orders  came  in  the  morning  for 
the  army  to  move.  So  the  men  lay  around  upon  the 
ground,  smoking  their  pipes,  and  enjoying  the  resting- 
spell,  till  4  P.  M.,  when  they  were  ordered  to  break  camp 
and  renew  the  march.  Going  but  a  mile  and  a  half,  they 
were  camped  upon  a  field  overgrown  with  blackberry 
bushes,  which  were  loaded  down  with  ripe  fruit.  As 
soon  as  the  ranks  were  broken,  and  before  the  tents  were 
pitched,  every  man  was  wandering  around,  with  his  tin 
cup  in  hand,  gathering  berries  to  add  to  his  evening 
meal. 

Everything  went  to  show  that  this  camp  was  intended 


AND  FOURTEENTH  RKGIMBMT.  383 

to  be  one  of  some  duration.  Accordingly,  tents  were 
pitched  and  streets  arranged  with  extra  care.  Useless 
labor  ! 

At  5  o'clock  the  next  morning,  the  men  were  awaken 
ed  with  the  order  to  march  immediately.  Soon,  they 
were  trudging  along  once  more.  Passing  around  the 
village  of  Leesburgh,  by  moving  through  corn  fields 
they  came  upon  the  road  above  the  town.  Then  they 
pursued  a  westerly  course  towards  Snicker's  Gap,  about 
twenty  miles  distant.  They  passed  through  Hamilton- 
ville — a  pleasant  little  town,  and  a  few  miles  further  a 
burgh  called  Purcellville,  which  was  a  lengthy  place, 
being  built  upon  one  street.  The  section  of  country 
through  which  the  army  moved  was  attractive,  alternat 
ing  with  hills  and  dales,  and  well  supplied  with  wood 
and  water.  * 

The  clear  cold  spring,  the  running  brook,  the  deep 
well,  arid  an  occasional  draught  from  the  "  old  oaken 
bucket,"  were  in  delightful  contrast  with  the  filthy 
bayou,  the  stagnant  sink-hole,  or  even  the  muddy  waters 
of  the  Mississippi  and  Red  Rivers.  Ahead  of  them  dur 
ing  this  day,  the  Blue  Ridge  towered  up  into  the  sky, 
a  break  in  the  range  being  designated  Snicker's  Gap.  By 
sundown  they  entered  the  Gap,  leaving  Snickersville  to 
the  left,  nestling  in  a  valley  far  below.  Over  a  rocky  and 
precipitous  road  they  passed  through  the  mountains,  and 
bivouaced,  at  9  o'clock  upon  a  level  plateau  between 
them  and  the  Shenandoah  River. 

Here,  at  last,  the  enemy  was  found  posted  along  the 
opposite  bank  of  the  river.  Already  an  engagement  had 
taken  place,  in  which  a  part  of  General  Crook's  command, 
(known  as  the  Eighth  Corps,  or  the  army  of  Western 
Virginia,)  which  coming  from  Harper's  Ferry  to  cut 


384  KECOBD  OF  TUB  ONE  HUNUBKD 

off  his  retreat,  had  been  badly  defeated  and  driven  across 
the  river. 

The  morning  of  the  19th,  the  troops  were  routed  at 
4  o'clock,  to  stand  under  arms  till  sunrise.  They  did  not 
move  that  day,  but  while  they  lay  quietly  encamped,  the 
grand  old  mountain  peaks  around  and  above  them,  robed 
in  evergreen  verdure,  echoed  incessantly  with  the  crack 
of  picket  shots.  How  disdainfully  those  ancient  nion- 
archs  looked  down  upon  the  petty  turmoil  of  puny  men 
below.  How  insignificant  the  battle  seemed  when  com 
pared  with  the  centuries  of  storm  and  tempest  those 
mountain  crags  had  breasted. 

Towards  evening  the  trains  were  ordered  back,  and 
the  troops  falling  into  line,  were  marched  forward  and 
backward  by  some  four  or  five  orders  in  about  as  many 
minutes.  Finally  they  stacked  awis,  and  bivouaced  for 
the  night. 

Early  on  July  20th,  a  reconnoissance  in  force  was 
made,  when  it  was  found  that  the  enemy  had  fallen  back. 
The  army  was  ordered  to  advance.  Descending  a  steep 
declivity,  our  men  arrived  upon  the  banks  of  the  Shenan- 
doah.  Plunging  into  the  clear,  swift  current,  they 
quickly  emerged  all  dripping  upon  the  opposite  bank. 
Halting  a  few  moments  among  some  old  stone  mills, 
they  moved  on  a  couple  of  miles  in  the  direction  of  Ber- 
ryville.  Here  they  were  halted  and  formed  in  line  of 
battle,. in  the  edge  of  a  beautiful  wood,  on,  or  near  the 
encampment  at  one  time  occupied  by  their  old  command 
er,  General  Banks,  previous  to  his  engagement  with 
Stonewall  Jackson,  and  which  culminated  in  his  famous 
retreat. 

All  day  they  rested  at  this  place,  while  a  force -several 
miles  in  advance  was  feeling  the  enemy.  In  the  evening, 


AND  FOUKTEKJSTU  KEGiMKNT.  .'<86 

it  was  learned  that  the  main  portion  of  the  rebel  army 
had  retreated  far  up  the  valley,  and  further  pursuit  was 
discontinued.  After  a  terrible  shower  had  thoroughly 
drenched  the  men  and  muddied  the  road,  the  troops  com 
menced  to  countermarch.  Soon  they  re-forded  the 
Shenandoah,  toiled  up  the  mountain  side,  passed  through 
the  gloomy  gap,  and  descended  into  Loudon  County. 
Traveling  all  night  upon  the  road  over  whicli  they  ad 
vanced,  the  morning  sun  dawned  upon  the  weary  men  iu 
the  neighborhood  of  Leesburgh.  The  town  was  soon 
passed,  and  they  were  pursuing  the  pike  towards  Wash 
ington. 

Before  the  war,  Leesburgh  contained  over  two  thou 
sand  inhabitants,  and  was  decidedly  a  fine  town.  There 
were  quite  a  number  of  private  residences,  constructed 
principally  of  brick,  and  really  imposing,  with  many 
evidences  that  they  were  once  abodes  of  elegance  and 
refinement,  of  peace  and  happiness.  Stores  and  shops 
closed,  and  dwellings  vacated,  here,  as  well  as  every 
where  in  the  South,  told  a  tale  of  war  and  woe.  Women, 
children  and  colored  people  appeared  quite  plenty,  but 
the  mind  and  intellect  that  mould,  direct  and  animate 
society — nor  the  "bone  and  muscle,"  or  the  thrift  of 
industry — were  not  there. 

Passing  five  miles  beyond  the  town,  the  Regiment  en 
camped  upon  an  open  field.  Those  men  who  had 
strength  enough  to  keep  up  with  the  column,  were  nearly 
broken  down  with  fatigue,  and  indignant  at  the  severe 
treatment  they  had  received.  They  avowed  they  could 
not  see  the  use  of  being  rushed  along  in  such  a  way, 
when  they  were  only  falling  back  to  Washington.  Since 
the  evening  of  the  day  before,  they  had  marched  over 
twenty-five  miles,  upon  a  very  uneven  and  stony  road, 


386  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

and  with  haversacks  empty.  Near  this  place  they  were 
joined  by  General  McMillen's  Brigade,  which,  having 
been  sent  from  Fortress  Monroe  to  Bermuda  Hundred, 
had  just  re-united  with  the  Corps. 

In  the  evening  of  the  2Xst,  the  Regiment  broke  camp 
and  crossed  over  Goose  Creek,  a  large  and  deep  stream, 
upon  a  rough  structure  of  old  boats,  and  the  fragments 
of  an  old  bridge  that  had  been  destroyed  in  the  early 
part  of  the  war.  Upon  the  opposite  bank  they  en 
camped. 

On  the  22d,  they  stalled  at  8  o'clock.  About  noon 
they  passed  through  the  little  village  of  Prainsville, 
rendered  memorable  from  its  having  been  the  site  of  a 
severe  skirmish  between  Generals  McCall  and  Stewart, 
previous  to  the  battle  of  the  first  Bull  Run.  The  coun 
try  here  presented  a  much  better  appearance  than  one 
had  reason  to  anticipate,  as  showing  less  of  the  eifects  of 
war.  Agricultural  interests  were  not  entirely  neglected. 
The  labors  of  the  husbandman  were  reasonably  rewarded 
— sufficiently,  at  least,  for  the  necessaries  if  not  the  luxu 
ries  of  life.  Many  of  the  fences,  particularly  oy  the 
road-side,  had  been  destroyed,  yet  private  property  as  a 
general  thing  was  respected.  At  8  o'clock  of  a  very 
dark  night,  the  men  sought  out  places  to  sleep,  upon  a 
rough  and  stony  field. 

The  troops  were  in  line  at  7  A.  M.,  of  July  23d,  and 
pushed  on  towards  Washington.  In  the  afternoon  they 
went  through  a  small  place  called  Lewinsville,  near  which 
were  the  Freedmen's  farms,  where  many  thousands  of 
runaway  slaves  obtained  a  livelihood,  under  the  direction 
of  government  officials.  Soon  after  they  arrived  within 
the  defenses  of  the  city.  Passing  by  several  large  camps, 
and  under  the  guns  of  a  large  fort,  they  descended  a 


AND  FOURTEENTH  ItEGlMENT.  387 

steep  and  deep  gorge  to  the  Potomac,  and  crossed  the 
famous  chain  bridge.  Coming  out  upon  the  Maryland 
side,  they  continued  down  the  river  about  a  mile,  and 
encamped  upon  a  high  table  land,  near  a  small  fortifica 
tion  known*  as  Battery  Vermont. 

It  was  generally  known  that  from  this  place  it  was  in 
tended  to  forward  the  troops  to  City  Poi«it  as  rapidly  as 
vessels  could  carry  them.  Having  driven  the  enemy  out 
of  Maryland,  and  far  up  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  this 
large  army  was  now  more  needed  at  Petersburg.  Our 
men  saw  but  little  encouragement  for  rest,  although  the 
ten  days  they  had  been  in  this  Department  they  had 
marched  over  one  hundred  and  twenty-five  miles. 


388  fiEOOJtl)  OF  TIIK  ONK   MDJNTDJtBJ* 


CHAPTER    XXXIX.    .%*% 

March  on,  march  on,  since  we  are  np  in  arms ; 

If  pot  to  fight  with  foreign  enemies, 

Yet  to  beat  down  these  rebels  here  at  home. 

KINO  RIOHABD  III, 

On  the  evening  of  the  25th  of  July,  the  exciting  intel 
ligence  was  received  that  the  enemy  was  again  in  Mary 
land.  Orders  were  given  to  be  ready  to  march  in  the 
morning,  with  four  days'  rations  in  haversacks,  and  eight 
days'  in  the  wagons.  All  night  the  Quartermasters  and 
Commissaries  labored  to  supply  the  men  with  food  and 
clothing.  The  sick,  of  which  there  were  quite  a  number 
in  camp,  were  sent  to  the  hospitals  in  the  city. 

It  was  not  till  10  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  26th,  that  the 
army  was  ready  to  move.  Another  campaign  was  open 
ed.  Moving  toward  the  city  as  far  as  Tenallytown,  the 
column  passed  north  upon  the  Rockville  pike.  Till  late 
at  night  the  men  toiled  on  over  a  stony  road,  among  the 
fertile  farms  of  Maryland.  In  the  evening  they  passed 
through  the  pleasant  village  of  Rockville.  About  five 
miles  from  this  place,  the  troops  bivouaced  at  midnight 
among  some  fields  of  grain.  They  enjoyed  but  three 
hours'  sleep,  for  at  3  o'clock  in  the  morning  the  shrill 
notes  of  bugles,  and  the  rattling  of  innumerable  drum* 
aroused  them  for  the  labors  of  the  day.  Soon  after  they 
were  again  upon  the  rough  pike.  The  sight  of  such  a 
long  column  of  troops  was  a  great  curiosity  to  the  people. 
At  every  house  the  windows  were  filled  with  inquisitive 
faces.  Husbandmen  left  their  work  in  the  fields,  to  gaze 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  389 

upon  the  uncommon  spectacle.  In  places,  crowds  of  citi 
zens  were  assembled  by  the  road-side,  and  cheered  on  the 
weary  soldiers.  During  the  day  the  men  passed  succes 
sively  the  little  villages  of  Seneca  Mills,  Middlebrook 
and  Clarksburgh.  In  the  afternoon  they  marched 
through  Ilyattsville,  a  small,  and  ancient  appearing  place, 
and  bivouaced  a  few  miles  beyond,  in  an  oat  field. 

At  5  A.  M.  of  July  27th,  the  army  started  forth.  Ur- 
bana,  a  neat  little  town,  was  soon  passed.  Before  8 
o'clock,  the  troops  were  ordered  into  camp  upon  the 
banks  of  the  Monocacy  River.  Here  was  the  battle 
ground  where  General  Lew  Wallace  was  defeated  by  the 
rebels,  before  they  advanced  upon  Washington.  The 
debris  of  a  battle  was  still  lying  scattered  upon  the  hill 
side  and  in  the  fields.  Fragments  of  bloody  clothing, 
muskets,  old  shoes  and  caps,  cannon  balls  and  cartridge 
boxes,  were  found  upon  the  camp  ground.  A  fine  stone 
arched  bridge  across  the  river  had  been  demolished,  and 
a  beautiful  rail  road  bridge  near  by  was  considerably  in 
jured,  but  owing  to  its  peculiar  construction  it  completely 
baffled  the  efforts  of  the  enemy  to  destroy  it.  It  was 
composed  almost  entirely  of  lattice-work  of  small  iron 
bars.  It  could  not  be  blown  up  nor  burnt,  and  artillery 
could  have  but  little  effect  upon  it,  for  cannon  balls  would 
either  pass  through  it,  or  only  cut  off  one  or  two  unim 
portant  bars.  In  times  of  Avar,  to  rail  road  corporations, 
such  bridges  are  invaluable. 

In  expectation  of  remaining  a  day  or  two  at  least,  the 
men  pitched  their  tents  and  were  making  themselves  com 
fortable,  when  at  4  p.  M.  orders  came  to  move  immediate 
ly.  While  the  Sixth  Corps  passed  the  river  near  the 
ruins  of  the  bridge,  the  Nineteenth  marched  two  miles 
up  the  river,  when  they  also  waded  through  the  stream.. 


RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Continuing  a  few  miles  further,  just  at  sundown  the 
•column  entered  the  beautiful  and  loyal  city  of  Frederick. 
The  citizens  were  all  in  the  streets,  witnessing  the  ap 
proach  of  the  army.  From  windows  and  from  house 
tops,  flags  were  flying.  Well  dressed  and  handsome 
'ladies  were  flirting  handkerchiefs,  or  throwing  bouquets 
mto  the  ranks.  By  the  sidewalks,  pails  of  water  and 
lemonade,  or  baskets  of  cake  and  fruit,  were  placed  for 
ttie  soldiers  to  help  themselves  as  they  passed  along. 
Little  children  ran  through  the  lines  to  distribute  knick- 
knacks.  Women  overloaded  the  haversacks  and 
pockets  of  the  men  with  all  manner  of  goodies.  Such 
<x>rdial  and  generous  treatment  of  the  poor,  dirty,  rag 
ged  soldiers,  almost  brought  tears  to  the  eyes  of  the 
grateful  boys;  inspired  in  Iheir  breasts  new  courage, 
revived  their  pride  and  self-respect,  and  made  them  feel 
that  after  all  they  were  not  merely  worthless  machines. 

The  nature  of  the  soldier's  life  gives  to  him  the  special 
attribute  of  generosity.  Whenever  they  observe  it  in 
others,  they  are  particularly  touched.  It  is  no  uncom 
mon  sight,  upon  a  hard  march,  when  the  men  are  suffer 
ing  for  want  of  sufficient  food,  to  see  a  party  of  soldiers 
sitting  together  upon  the  ground,  with  their  haversacks 
"between  their  knees,  counting  out  their  scanty  pile  of 
hard  tack,  so  as  to  make  an  equal  distribution.  He  who 
nas  been  most'  frugal  of  his  rations,  is  willing  to  share 
with  him  who  has  devoured  his  supply  at  a  single  meal. 
If  a  soldier  had  succeeded  in  obtaining  a  back-load  of 
tire  wood,  when  lie  arrived  in  camp  he  was  sure  to  divide 
•th.e  coveted  fuel  among  his  nearest  comrades. 

"  He  who  is  truly  dedicate  to  war. 
Hath  no  self-love." 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  391 

After  the  troops  had  passed  through  the  city,  a  halt  of 
au  hour  was  made,  to  allow  the  Sixth  Corps  to  move 
ahead.  Advancing  four  miles,  the  Regiment  bivouaced 
at  midnight  upon  a  wheat  field.  About  this  time  Gener 
al  Hunter,  in  command  of  the  Department  of  Western 
Virginia,  took  control  of  the  army. 

At  5  o'clock  on  the  29th,  the  column  was  in  motion  up 
on  the  road  to  Harper's  Ferry.  It  was  a  very  warm  day,, 
and  the  roads  were  dusty.  The  country  was  delightful, 
Grain  was  being  harvested,  and  crops  generally  were 
looking  thrifty.  Apple  and  peach  trees  were  laden  with 
fruit.  Jefferson,  through  which  they  passed,  was  quite  a 
pleasant  town,  but  ancient  in  appearance,  as  are  usually 
all  the  places  in  this  section.  # 

Crossing  the  Kittoctan  Creek,  upon  a  covered  bridge,, 
Petersville,  six  miles,  and  Knoxville,  nine  miles  from 
Jefferson,  were  successively  passed.  About  half  a  mile- 
from  Knoxville  is  the  little  settlement  of  Weaverton... 
Here  was  a  large  woolen  factory,  and  the  hamlet  was 
composed  mostly  of  buildings  for  operatives.  A  citizen 
by  the  way-side  informed  the  men  that  the  factory  Kad- 
"  busted  up,"  and  from  appearances  they  thought  it  had, 
decidedly. 

Two  miles  distant  is  Sandy  Hook,  located  among  tin* 
high  mountains  which  here  envelope  the  Potomac.  From 
this  place,  the  troops  moved  along  a  narrow  ledge  that 
had  been  dug  out  from  the  precipitous  sides  of  a  stupen 
dous  mountain  which  jutted  out  into  the  river.  The 
road  was  scarcely  wide  enough  for  the  column  to  passr 
yet  most  of  its  surface  was  monopolized  by  a  rail  road 
track.  Turning  around  a  brow  of  the  mountain,  Har 
per's  Ferry  was  brought  to  view.  Opposite  the  village 
the  river  was  crossed  upon  a  pontoon  bridge,  and  ib» 
column  entered  the  town. 


302  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Harper's  Ferry  lias  been  so  often  described  by  journal 
ists  and  authors,  that  it  seems  almost  superfluous  to  add 
any  further  account  of  this  remarkable  place  ;  yet,  a  few 
words  concerning  the  spot  of  which  Thomas  Jefferson 
wrote  that  it  was  worth  a  voyage  across  the  Atlantic  to 
visit,  may  not  be  inappropriate.  It  is  situated  at  the 
junction  of  the  Shenandoah  and  Potomac  rivers,  within 
the  recesses  of  a  deep  and  narrow  gorge.  By  a  great 
convulsion  of  nature,  these  waters  appear  to  have 
forced  an  outlet  to  the  sea  by  breaking  through  the  rocky 
barrier  of  the  Blue  Ridge.  The  mountain  range  is  thus 
divided  into  three  precipitous  peaks,  respectively  called 
Maryland,  London  and  Bolivar  Heights.  At  the  foot  of 
Bolivar  Heights  is  locate^  Harper's  Ferry.  A  strip  of 
level  land,  scarcely  wide  enough  for  a  single  row  of 
buildings,  is  occupied  by  the  ruins  of  the  government 
arsenal,  while  the  business  part  of  the  place  is  crowded 
back  upon  the  steep  sides  of  the  mountain.  It  is  the 
greatest  source  of  wonderment  to  the  visitor  how  a  town 
of  five  thousand  inhabitants  could  possibly  have  been 
built  upon  such  a  contracted  and  inappropriate  site. 

Whichever  way  one  may  turn,  he  is  continually  im 
pressed  with  the  idea  that  there  is  not  room  enough  for 
even  a  respectable  Swiss  cottage.  The  streets  are  very 
narrow,  and  so  far  elevated  above  each  other  that  where 
a  building  on  one  street  presents  an  imposing  front  of 
several  stories,  upon  an  adjoining  one  there  can  be  seen 
only  its  roof.  Of  course  there  are  no  cross  streets,  but 
footmen  pass  from  one  terrace  to  another  by  means  of 
stairs. 

The  town  itself  has  but  few  attractions,  but  the  scenery 
in  the  neighborhood  is  really  romantic.  Magnificent 
mountains,  upon  all  sides,  extend  hundreds  of  feet  above 
the  river,  with  craggy,  overhanging,  almost  perpendicu- 


AND  FOURTEENTH   RKGIMUtfT.  393 

lar  rocks,  their  heavy  brown  being  deeply  set  with  tents 
and  fortifications,  and  making  a  scene  indescribably  grand 
and  picturesque. 

One  ctumot  visit  Harper's  Ferry,  and  gaze  upon  her 
mountain  summits  and  lofty  peaks,  without  being  im 
pressed  with  the  idea  that  here  might  well  have  been 
executed  the  finishing  stroke  in  the  stupendous  work  of 
the  world's  creation,  and  that  the  odds  and  ends  of  the 
constructive  material  were  indiscriminately  thrown  to 
gether. 

Here  is  not  a  freak  of  nature.  This  is  not  a  capricious 
work,  but  a  grand  conception,  a  wonderful  display  of 
knowledge,  a  masterly  commingling  of  the  terrific  and 
the  sublime.  As  our  men  entered  Harper's  Ferry  near 
sunset,  they  were  particularly  impressed  with  the  beauty 
of  the  reflected  sun-light  upon  the  tall  cliffs,  gilding 
their  crests,  burnishing  their  slopes,  and  crowning  them 
with  a  resplendent  halo  of  glory. 

The  column  marched  close  by  the  engine  house  in 
which  John  Brown  rendered  himself  so  notorious.  The 
windows  and  walls  still  bore  evidences  of  the  unequal 
contest.  Crowding  through  a  narrow  street,  our  men 
passed  through  the  village  of  Bolivar,  and  finally  en 
camped  about  a  mile  beyond  the  heights,  upon  an  open, 
uncultivated,  fenceless  country.  Pitching  their  tents  up 
on  a  rocky  slope,  they  enjoyed  a  grateful  sleep,  after  a 
fatiguing  march  of  twenty  miles. 

On  the  morning  of  the  30th,  the  camps  were  quiet,  the 
army  rested.  Information  came  during  the  forenoon, 
that  the  enemy  was  moving  towards  Pennsylvania,  and 
had  destroyed  Chambersburgh.  Instantly  the  army  was 
again  put  in  motion.  By  3  p.  M.,  the  men  commenced  to 
retrace  their  steps  through  Bolivar,  down  the  steep 


394  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

streets  of  Harper's  Ferry,  across  the  pontoon  bridge,  and 
upon  the  narrow  road  beneath  the  overhanging  rocks  of 
Maryland  Heights.  In  the  darkness  of  the  night  they 
traversed  the  Frederick  pike,  passing  through  Sandy 
Hook,  Knoxville  and  Petersville.  By  midnight  they 
groped  their  way  into  a  meadow  near  the  Kittoctan 
Creek,  and  spread  their  blankets  upon  the  grass  and 
slept.  The  Eighth  Corps,  which  joined  the  army  at  Bol 
ivar,  during  the  night  turned  to  the  left  upon  the  Middle- 
ton  road. 

At  6  A.  M.  of  the  31st,  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth  Corps 
continued  their  march  toward  Frederick.  From  the  city 
they  pursued  the  Emmettsburgh  Pike,  two  and  a  half 
miles,  and  encamped  in  a  beautiful  piece  of  wood.  The 
day  was  extremely  hot  and  sultry,  and  among  troops 
that  had  not  been  inured  to  a  torrid  climate,  the  effects  of 
the  sun's  rays  were  truly  disastrous.  In  the  Sixth  Corps, 
over  two  hundred  men  fell  down  in  the  road,  from  sun 
stroke. 

August  1st,  the  Regiment  rested  in  its  romantic  camp, 
in  the  shade  of  the  grove,  having  heard  that  the  rebels 
had  re-crossed  the  Potomac.  A  number  of  accidental 
shots  were  fired  during  the  day,  which  produced  an 
alarm  in  camp,  and  the  men  flew  to  their  arms,  but  the 
difficulty  was  soon  explained,  and  the  excitement  ended. 

The  beautiful  day  of  August  2d  broke  upon  a  peace 
ful  camp.  The  men  were  now  sufficiently  rested  to  en 
joy  sight-seeing,  and  strolled  into  the  town,  and  wander 
ed  about,  gazing  upon  the  fine  churches,  and  stores  and 
residences  of  the  really  elegant  city  of  Frederick.  By 
noon,  the  order  arrived  to  march.  Passing  out  of  their 
forest  camp,  and  around  the  outskirts  of  the  city,  they 
moved  towards  Monocacy  Junction,  upon  the  road  previ- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  395 

ously  traveled.  At  the  same  ford  they  waded  the  river, 
and  went  into  camp  near  the  rail  road  bridge. 

At  this  time  the  forces  were  augmented  by  the  arrival 
of  General  Grover's  Division,  and  the  whole  detachment 
of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  that  had  been  ordered  from  Lou 
isiana  was  placed  under  command  of  General  Emory, 
General  D  wight  remaining  in  charge  of  the  First  Divis 
ion.  This  assignment  of  commanders  remained  the 
same  till  the  close  of  the  war. 

"  Old  Brick  Top,"  as  the  boys  familiarly  called  General 
Emory,  owing  to  his  sandy  hair,  was  always  a  great 
favorite  among  his  troops.  Throughout  the  whole  length 
of  their  service,  "  Brick  Top  "  was  loved  and  respected 
by  every  man  in  the  ranks.  They  laughed  at  his  eccen 
tricities,  and  forgave  him  his  rough,  profane  manner,  for 
they  knew  that  under  a  coarse  exterior  was  a  kind  and 
generous  heart.  He  looked  upon  his  soldiers  as  his  child 
ren,  and  the  boys  regarded  the  old  man  in  the  light  of  a 
father.  When  he  was  cross,  and  indulged  in  oaths,  his 
men  anticipated  favors  from  him  ;  when  taciturn  and  sad, 
they  knew  that  something  had  displeased  him.  Notwith 
standing  his  age,  and  his  petulant  disposition,  on  the 
battle-field  he  was  as  fresh  and  active  as  any  young  man, 
while  nothing  could  disturb  his  equanimity,  for  he  was  as 
cool  as  an  iceberg. 

General  Grant  had  also  arrived  at^his  place,  and  taken 
up  his  Head-quarters  in  a  small  house  close  by  the  rail 
road  track.  As  soon  as  it  was  rumored  around  that  the 
Lieutenant  General  was  on  the  ground,  the  men  sought 
to  obtain  a  glimpse  of  the  august  personage,  as  he  walked 
up  and  down  in  front  of  his  Head-quarters.  His  appear 
ance  at  this  time  gave  rise  to  the  conjecture  that  different 
plans  and  new  movements  were  about  to  be  inaugurated 

26 


396  BEOOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDBKD 

Soon  it  was  announced  that  General  Hunter  had  been 
relieved,  and  that  Major  General  Philip  H.  Sheridan 
was  assigned  to  the  command  of  the  army,  to  which  had 
been  added  a  large  force  of  cavalry.  The  geographical 
Departments  of  Western  "Virginia,  Susquehanna,  Middle 
Department  and  Washington,  were  united  under  his  com 
mand,  forming  what  was  termed  "  The  Middle  Military 
Division." 

General  Sheridan  was  a  man  but  little  known  at  this 
time,  and  many  were  the  expressions  of  surprise  that  an 
officer  of  so  little  distinction  should  be  placed  in  charge 
of  such  an  immense  command. 

For  nearly  two  days  the  army  lay  at  Monocacy  Junc 
tion,  in  statu  quo.  Finally  at  4  p.  M.  of  August  4th,  the 
order  came  to  move,  provided  with  four  days1  rations. 
At  6  o'clock  the  column  forded  the  Monocacy,  by  the 
ruins  of  the  stone  bridge,  and  bivouaced  upon  the  oppo 
site  shore,  along  the  track  of  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio 
rail  road.  Through  the  night,  troops  were  constantly 
moving  by  rail  -toward  Harper's  Ferry.  At  1  o'clock  the 
order  came  for  the  First  Brigade  to  jump  aboard  a  train 
then  lying  upon  the  track.  The  Ninetieth  New  -York 
was  left  behind,  to  proceed  North  on  a  "  veteran  fur 
lough."  The  box  cars  were  very  crowded,  even  their 
roofs  contained  scarcely  a  hanging-on  place,  being  cover 
ed  with  officers  and  men.  Soon  the  whistle  blew,  and 
the  ponderous  train  moved  off  through  the  darkness. 

By  daylight  the  men  found  themselves  under  the  ledge 
of  Maryland  Heights.  Quickly  unloading  from  the  cars, 
they  were  marched  around  the  brow  of  the  mountain, 
and  a  short  distance  up  the  river,  when  they  commenced 
to  ascend  a  steep  zigzag  path  up  the  side  of  the  heights. 
About  half  way  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain  is  a  nar- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  397 

row  and  comparatively  level  plateau.  Here  the  Regi 
ment  was  halted,  and  ordered  to  go  into  bivouac.  After 
the  men  had  pitched  their  shelters  among  rocks  and 
scrubby  pines,  many  of  them  clambered  to  the  loftiest 
peaks,  to  enjoy  a  view  of  the  surrounding  country. 
From  such  commanding  elevations,  in  a  clear  day,  they 
obtained  a  magnificent  landscape  view  of  a  region  for 
twenty  miles  around. 

The  great  Shenandoah  Valley  stretched  out  before 
them,  far  beyond  the  range  of  vision,  enclosed  in  a  blue, 
-hazy  border  of  mountains,  dotted  here  and  there  with 
the  spires  of  village^  On  the  other  side,  the  alternating 
fields  and  green  forests  of  Maryland  rose  and  fell  like 
shells  in  the  ocean.  Far  below  their  feet,  the  Potomac 
rolled  through  a  deep  gorge,  within  which  Harper's  Fer 
ry  looked  more  beautiful  as  distance  lent  enchantment  to 
the  view.  In  the  streets  of  the  village,  and  over  the  sur 
rounding  heights,  miniature  forms  of  men  were  bustling 
around  like  ants  upon  their  hills.  Occasionally  a  line  of 
troops  could  be  seen  moving  in  the  distance,  appearing 
like  a  thousand-legged  worm  creeping  over  the  ground. 
Long  rail  road  trains,  resembling  gigantic  serpents, 
crawled  around  the  foot  of  the  mountain.  On  the  peak, 
monstrous  cannon  were  planted,  and  strong  barracks 
were  built  for  a  garrison.  A  signal  party  was  there, 
with  flags  and  telescopes,  perpetually  conversing  with 
other  parties  at  almost  invisible  distances. 

Before  daybreak  of  August  6th,  the  Regiment  was 
aroused  by  reveille,  and  ordered  to  be  ready  to  move 
by  daylight.  At  7  o'clock  it  was  again  under  headway. 
Before  noon  the  men  had  exchanged  the  heights  of  Mary 
land  for  the  heights  of  Bolivar,  and  were  in  camp  near 
the  ground  they  had  occupied  a  week  before. 


398  RECOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

For  three  days  the  army  remained  inactive — long 
enough  for  a  little  rest — long  enough  to  review  the  un 
satisfactory  campaigns  of  the  past  month — long  enough 
=to  conjecture  conc^ning  the  future.  The  men  were  be 
coming  disgusted  with  marching  hither  and  thither,  in 
pursuit  of  the  enemy,  but  never  able  to  find  him. 
It  seemed  to  them  useless  labor  to  pass  between  Monoca- 
cy  and  Harper's  Ferry,  three  times  in  a  single  week. 

When,  on  the  7th  of  August,  General  Sheridan  arrived 
and  took  command  of  the  army,  they  expressed  many 
hopes  that  the  nervous  little  man  with  smiling  face  and 
black,  glistening  eyes,  would  inaugurate  a  more  effective 
mode  of  warfare.  His  influence  was  instantly  felt.  He 
seemed  to  be  the  perfect  embodiment  "of  energy,  and  p<|s- 
sessed  the  faculty  of  infusing  the  same  spirit  throughout 
the  whole  command.  It  became  a  common  remark 
among  the  troops  :  "  We  can  see  now  that  somebody  has 
got  hold  of  this  machine,  who  knows  how  to  run  it." 
They  bestowed  upon  him  the  familiar  cognomen  of  "  Lit 
tle  Phil.,"  and  appeared  to  be  as  much  pleased  in  it  as 
the  soldiers  of  Napoleon  did  in  conferring  upon  their 
commander  the  title  of  the  "  Little  Corporal." 


AND  FOURTEENTH  EEQIMBNT.  399 


CHAPTER    XL. 

Till  now  some  nine  moons  wasted,  they  have  us'd 
Their  dearest  action  in  the  tented  field ; 
And  little  of  this  great  world  can  I  speak, 
More  than  pertains  to  feats  of  broil  and  battle. 

OTHBLLO. 

After  the  most  elaborate  preparations  had  been  made, 
at  5  o'clock  of  the  morning  of  the  10th,  General  Sheridan 
started  his  entire  army  from  its  secure  camp  upon  Bolivar 
Heights,  for  a  campaign  up  the  Shenandoah  Vallfey. 
With  light  step,  and  with  bodies  invigorated  by.  the  rest 
of  the  past  few  days,  the  men  stepped  off  rapidly  upon 
the  hard,  smooth  pike.  They  soon  passed  a  little  settle 
ment  called  Halltown,  formerly  a  station  upon  the  Poto 
mac  and  Winchester  rail  road. 

The  towiij  and  the  rail  road  had  alike  suffered  from  the 
effects  of  terrible  war.  As  our  men  advanced,  they  were 
amazed  at  the  great  beauty  and  fertility  of  the  Shenan 
doah  Valley.  At  a  distance  of  about  eight  miles,  on 
either  side  were  seen  ranges  of  smoky  blue  mountains, 
enclosing  a  rich,  rolling,  lime-stone  country,  interspersed 
with  beautiful  farms  and  houses,  and  clusters  of  forests. 
In  such  a  lovely  paradise  war  had  committed  her  worst 
ravages.  The  advance  and  retreat  of  many  large  armies 
"through  this  region,  had  blighted  its  fair  surface  with 
ruins  of  burnt  dwellings,  had  caused  its  fields  to  grow  to 
weeds,  and  had  swept  it  of  nearly  all  its  fences. 

At  9  o'clock  our  men  entered  the  village  of  Charles- 
town,  a  place  rendered  historic  as  being  the  scene  of 


40$  RECORD  OF  THB  OJfE  HUNDRED 

John  Brown's  trial  and  tragic  death.  As  the  troops 
marched  through  the  almost  forsaken  town,  the  entire 
army  struck  up  and  sang  the  familiar  John  Brown  song, 
accompanied  by  the  stirring  music  of  drums  and  bands. 
The  column  passed  close  by  the  ruins  of  the  court  house 
and  jail,  and  caused  their  dark  bare  walls  to  echo  with 
the  shouts  of  thousands  of  voices  uttering  these  familiar 
words : 

"  John  Brown's  body  lies  mouldering  in  the  grave, 
But  his  soul  goes  a-marching  on." 

A  few  demoralized  citizens  and  a  group  of  ragged 
children  were  all  the  visible  inhabitants  of  this  once  pop 
ulous  and  wealthy  place. 

Beyond  the  town,  the  General  made  a  new  disposition 
of  troops.  The  Eighth  Corps  was  sent  to  the  left  of  the 
pike ;  the  Sixth  Corps  to  the  right ;  the  Nineteenth  occu 
pied  the  centre.  All  moved  off  in  parallel  columns.  Up 
hill  and  down,  through  a  hot  day,  the  men  wearily 
tramped  up  the  valley,  continually  feasting -their  eyes  up 
on  a  variegated  landscape.  Occasionally,  they  would 
pass  the  stone  mansion  of  some  member  of  a  "  first  fami 
ly,"  surrounded  with  those  appurtenances  that  gave  it  the 
air  and  style  of  a  residence  of  English  nobility.  At 
other  places  were  observed  filthy  little  huts,  inhabited  by 
pitiful  specimens  of  "  poor  white  trash."  This  latter 
class  of  people  seemed  to  have  a  wretched  knowledge  of 
the  King's  English.  In  one  instance,  an  officer  observing 
a  young  lady  standing  in  the  door  of  a  house,  rode  up  to 
her,  and  inquired  if  he  could  purchase  a  canteen  of  milk 
and  a  loaf  of  bread.  Her  reply  was  characteristic  of  the 
jargon  these  people  employ.  She  said :  "  We  hain't  got 
no  bread.  We  hain't  got  no  milk.  We're  clean  done 


AJWD  FOUKTJBENTH  REGIMENT.  401 

gone  up  a  spout,  so  ye  kin  tote  yourseP  away  from 
h'yar."  The  officer  felt  perfectly  satisfied,  and  "  toted." 
In  this  section  very  many  of  the  men,  women,  and  even 
children,  have  an  inordinate  love  for  tobacco,  and  in  noth 
ing  can  a  stranger  touch  their  hearts  so  easily  as  by 
making  them  presents  of  plug  or  pig-tail. 

After  a  laborious  march  of  eighteen  miles,  the  Regi 
ment  was  ordered  to  bivouac  at  5  p.  M.,  within  sight  of 
the  village  of  Berryville.  No  sooner  had  preparations 
been  made  for  a  night's  rest,  than  another  order  came  to 
go  on  picket.  Marching  out  in  advance  of  the  army,  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  distributed  through 
fields  and  roads,  in  detached  posts  of  three  or  four  men. 

Without  sleep  during  the  night,  at  5  o'clock  of  the 
llth,  the  Regiment  was  called  in,  and  commenced  anoth 
er  day's  labor.  Marching  through  the  small  village  of 
Berryville,  which  had  but  one  church,  it  joined  the  Brigade, 
and  then,  turning  to  the  left  of  the  road,  took  up  a  line 
of  inarch  across  the  open  country,  paying  no  attention^*) 
any  line  of  road,  but  apparently  moving  under  guidance 
of  a  compass.  They  marched  by  the  flank,  slowly  feel 
ing  their  way,  leaving  Winchester  some  five  miles  to  the 
right.  During  the  forenoon,  the  roar  of  cannon  towards 
the  front  showed  that  the  advance  cavalry  was  engaged 
with  the  enemy.  That  day  our^nen  tramped  over-rough^ 
rocky  fields,  through  deep,  tangled  forests,  fording  clear 
running  streams,  pushing  over  stone  walls,  or  tearing 
down  rail  fences,  to  make  a  passage  for  the  column.  At 
sundown  they  camped  near  the  village  of  Newtown. 

At  an  early  hour  of  the  12th,  the  shrill  bugles  called 
up  the  men  to  renew  the  march.  In  a  short  time  they 
came  to  the  valley  pike.  This  celebrated  thoroughfare  is, 
perhaps,  the  best  specimen  of  a  macadamized  road  in  the 


402  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

country.  Notwithstanding  immense  armies,  with  their 
ponderous  wagon  trains  and  artillery,  had  continually 
passed  to  and  fro  for  three  years  over  this  road,  without 
a  single  repair  upon  it,  our  men  found  it  as  smooth  and 
as  hard  as  the  best  pavement.  Not  a  rut  or  a  mud-hole 
marred  its  wide,  even  surface.  The  mules  trundled  the 
army  wagons  over  it  with  comparative  ease,  while  their 
hoofs  gave  out  a  metallic*  ring.  Stonewall  Jackson 
once  transported  several  locomotives  from  Martin sburgh 
to  Staunton  over  this  pike: 

The  army  moved  alongside  the  pike  through  the  ad 
joining  fields,  in  parallel  columns,  while  in  front  the 
advance  kept  up  a  continual  fire  upon  the  rebel  rear 
guard.  In  the  afternoon  they  passed  the  attractive  little 
village  of  Middletown,  beyond  which  a  couple  of  miles, 
they  camped  upon  an  open,  level  field.  It  was  reported 
that  a  few  miles  ahead,  the  enemy  had  made  a  determin 
ed  stand  upon  the  banks  of  Cedar  Creek,  where  he  oifered 
battle.  A  fight  on  the  morrow  was  in  prospect. 

Before  daylight  on  the  13th,  the  troops  were  ordered 
to*  stand  under,  arms  till  sunrise.  Throughout  the  day 
the  Nineteenth  Corps  remained  quiet  in  camp,  while 
ahead  the  Sixth  Corps  was  skirmishing  with  the  enemy, 
who  was  gradually  falling  back,  until  finally  he  occupied 
an  almost  impregnable  position  on  Fisher's  Hill. 

General  Sheridan's  Head-quarters  were  at  the  same 
house  which  had  been  used  for  that  purpose  successively 
by  Fremont,  Sigel  and  Hunter. 

The  rations  of  our  men  were  now  exhausted,  and  the 
supply  train  was  captured  and  destroyed  the  <  evening  be 
fore,  by  Mosby's  guerrillas,  who,  having  passed  through 
Snicker's  Gap,  were  hovering  in  the  rear.  The  boys  em 
ployed  their  leisure  in  seeking  something  to  eat.  Sheri- 


A.1CD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  403 

dan  was  not  that  kind  of  an  officer  who  devotes  his  time 
and  energies  in  executing  -stringent  orders  against 
"  gobbling."  Accordingly  the  men  were  privileged  to 
wander  about  the  fields,  and  satisfy  their  appetites  with 
what  corn  and  apples  they  could  find.  In  the  afternoon 
an  inspection  of  arms  and  accoutrements  was  held,  and 
in  the  evening  a  train  arrived  loaded  with  provisions. 

The  14th  and  15th  of  August,  the  army  remained  in 
camp,  patiently  watching  the  enemy,  neither  party  feel 
ing  disposed  to  strike  the  first  blow.  In  the  meantime, 
the  wily  Mosby  was  making  sad  havoc  with  its  com 
munications.  His  operations  at  length  compelled  Gener 
al  Sheridan  to  fall  back.  The  movement  commenced  at 
11  p.  M.  of  the  15th,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  taking  the 
lead,  the  Sixth  closing  the  rear.  By  the  light  of  the 
moon,  our  men  chatting  along  the  pike,  passed  the  vil 
lages  of  Middletown,  Newtown  and  Kearnstown.  Day 
light  found  them  upon  the  outskirts  of  Winchester. 
Halting  a  short  time  for  coffee,  the  column  entered  the 
place  with  an  unusual  display  of  flags  and  the  music  of 
bands. 

Winchester  was  once  a  town  of  five  thousand  inhabi 
tants,  and  exhibitttl  many  well  marked  traces  of  culture 
and  refinement.  Although  built  upon  an  uneven  and 
rocky  surface,  yet  in  connection  with  its  surroundings,  it 
was  all  the  more  romantic.  There  were  many  elegant 
residences,  and  some  as  beautiful  grounds  as  our  men  had 
seen  in  Virginia.  But  war  had  sadly  left  its  impress. 
Places  of  business  were  closed,  and  instead  of  the  hum 
and  din  of  traffic  was  heard  the  rattling  of  musketry,  the 
boom  of  cannon,  and  the  clash  of  arms.  Old  men,  wo 
men  and  children  were  the  principal  inhabitants.  In  no 
place  that  our  men  visited  in  the  South,  did  there  seem 


404  REGX)RD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

to  be  proportionally  so  large  a  number  of  old  people.  At 
almost  every  door  and  window  sat  gray-headed  men  or 
women,  with  care  and  sorrow  depicted  upon  their 
wrinkled  faces.  At  a  short  distance  from  the  northern 
edge  of  the  town,  the  Regiment  bivouaced  upon  the 
sloping,  extensive  and  well  shaded  grounds  of  a  once 
splendid  mansion,  owned  by  one  Colonel  McDonald,  of 
the  rebel  service,  recently  taken  prisoner.  Adjoining  this 
place  were  the  ruins  of  the  late  mansion  of  the  quondam 
Senator  Mason,  presenting  a  picture  of  complete  and  per 
fect  desolation. 

At  4  A.  M.  of  the  17th,  the  men  were  ordered  to  move, 
much  to  their  regret,  as  they  were  so  comfortably  and 
conveniently  located.  In  an  easterly  direction  they 
tramped  the  Berryville  pike,  and  soon  entered  a  narrow 
gorge  through  which  flowed  a  stream  called  Abraham 
Creek,  which  our  men  were  often  obliged  to  wade.  Pres 
ently  they  arrived  at  the  steep  banks  of  the  Opequan 
Creek,  (pronounced  O-peek-fin,)  a  deep  and  powerful 
stream.  This,  too,  they  were  compelled  to  ford,  and 
then  clambering  up  a  steep  ascent,  they  had  a  level  road 
to  Berryville,  which  they  reached  about  noon.  The  Reg 
iment  went  into  camp  upon  the  fltme  spot  they  had 
occupied  in  making  their  advance. 

It  was  at  this  place  that  twenty-five  or  thirty  wagons 
of  a  supply  train  had  been  captured  by  Mosby,  since  the 
troops  had  passed  over  this  ground  before.  It  seemed 
strange,  indeed,  that  so  short  a  line  of  communication 
as  twenty  miles  could  not  be  kept  open.  But  Mosby 
was  indefatigable  as  well  as  venturesome,  and  his  raids 
were  so  well  planned  and  executed  that  he  held  the  en 
tire  army  at  bay.  Small  squads  of  his  guerrillas  were 
continually  prowling  about  the  camps,  rendering  it  un- 


AND  FOURTJZBNTH  REGIMENT.  405 

safe  for  the  men  to  wander  outside,  even  for  a  short 
distance.  Several  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth, 
being  too  careless  in  this  respect,  were  captured. 

For  fear  of  losing  a  portion  of  the  train,  if  permitted 
to  remain  longer  in  this  neighborhood,  on  the  1 8th  the 
army  was  ordered  to  retire  in  the  direction  of  Charles- 
town,  thirteen  miles  distant.  Without  breakfast,  our 
men  marched  out  some  four  miles,  and  formed  a  line  of 
battle,  to  await  the  approach  of  the  rebels,  who,  it  was 
reported,  were  advancing.  Not  making  their  appear- 
annce,  at  2  p.  M.  the  march  was  resumed.  Towards 
evening  they  bivouaced  some  three  miles  from  Charles- 
town,  near  the  pike. 

They  remained  in  this  position  till  Sunday,  August 
21st,  there  being  constant  firing  in  the  direction  of  B«r- 
ryville.  About  «oon  of  the  latter  day,  the  skirmishing 
changed  from  the  front  to  the  rear.  Hurriedly  the  troops 
were  started  off  on  the  road  in  the  direction  of  Charles- 
town.  Reaching  this  place  within  an  hour,  the  Nine 
teenth  Corps  was  posted  in  line  of  battle  along  a  road 
leading  from  the  north  of  the  town.  Preparations  were 
made  for  a  severe  engagement. 

With  an  instinct  common  to  old  soldiers,  the  men,  as 
soon  as  the  line  was  formed,  bustled  around  to  construct 
a  temporary  breastwork.  Stone  walls,  rail  fences,  barns,, 
piles  of  fire  wood,  were  quickly  torn  to  pieces,  and  their 
fragments,  added  to  what  little  earth  could  be  thrown 
up,  soon  made  for  them  quite  a  serviceable  line  of  defense.. 
In  an  incredible  short  space  of  time,  the  boys  had  placed 
themselves  under  good  protection  from  the  rifle  balls  of 
the  enemy. 

From  the  rapid  skirmish  firing,  it  was  evident  that  the 
Sixth  Corps  and  the  cavalry  were  having  lively  times  in 


406  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

the  advance.  After  several  hours  had  been  passed  in  sus 
pense,  darkness  came,  but  did  not  close  in  upon  a  field  of 
battle.  The  boys  regaled  themselves  with  a  cup  of  cof 
fee,  and  contentedly  laid  down  behind  their  breastworks 
to  rest.  At  midnight  they  were  quietly  aroused,  ordered 
into  line,  and  further  retreat  continued. 

At  3  A.  M.  of  the  22d,  the  Regiment  arrived  upon  it? 
old  camp  ground  upon  Bolivar  Heights.  Before  daylight 
'the  entire  army  had  posted  itself  across  a  peninsula  of 
highlands  defending  the  town  of  Harper's  Ferry,  which 
lay  below  them  in  the  valley  of  the  Potomac.  The 
Eighth  Corps  occupied  a  position  on  the  left,  near  the 
Shenandoah  River ;  the  Nineteenth  in  the  centre ;  the 
Sixth  upon  the  right,  reaching  to  the  Potomac". 

Three  times  within  as  many  weeks,  had  the  men  re 
turned  from  different  expeditions  to  Harper's  Ferry.  It 
was  reported  by  prisoners,  that  among  the  rebels,  Sheri 
dan's  army  had  acquired  the  cognomen  of  "  Harper's 
Weekly,"  by  reason  of  its  periodical  visits  to  the  above 
place. 

It  was  clear  that  the  General  was  pursuing  a  Fabian 
policy,  in  pursuance  of  orders  from  the  Commander-in- 
Chief.  He  avoided  an  open  contest,  yet  he  was  constant 
ly  near  the  enemy,  and  sought  in  every  way  to  annoy 
him.  He  endeavored  to  prevent  him  from  joining  his 
main  army  at  Petersburg,  while,  on  the  other  hand,  the 
rebels  were  evidently  practicing  similar  tactics.  When 
ever  one  army  would  fall  back,  the  other  would  immedi 
ately  follow,  menacing  its  rear,  until  the  former  was 
compelled  to  halt  and  offer  battle,  when  the  movements 
would  be  inverted ;  the  late  advancing  army  quickly  re 
treating,  would  be  pursued  in  turn  by  the  other.  The 
two  forces  were  probably  about  equally  matched  in  num- 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  407 

bers,  in  munitions  and  material.  They  both  embraced 
the  choicest  and  most  experienced  soldiers  in  their  respec 
tive  armies.  The  celebrated  troops  of  Stonewall  Jackson 
on  the  one  hand,  and  the  famous  Sixth  Corps  on  the  oth 
er,  had  achieved  the  highest  reputation  in  the  war. 
Both  armies  were  led  by  able  and  successful  Generals. 
Sheridan  and  Early  were  strong  antagonists,  and  each 
had  good  reasons  for  being  wary  of  the  other. 

The  troops  under  Sheridan,  which  by  accident  had 
come  together  temporarily,  in  a  time  of  emergency,  were 
now  permanently  organized  into  a  distinct  army,  and 
dubbed  with  the  title  of  "The  Army  of  the  Shenandoah." 
It  included  the  Sixth,  Eighth  and  Nineteenth  Corps  o£ 
infantry,  and  a  Cavalry  Corps  under  General  Torbert. 
It  was  in  fact  an  army  of  observation,  to  watch  the  ene 
my  against  a  northern  invasion. 


408  RECORD  OF  THB  ONE  HUPTORKD 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

Let  us  survey  the  vantage  of  the  ground ; 
Let's  want  no  discipline,  make  no  delay ; 
For,  lords,  to-morrow  is  a  busy  day. 

KIMQ  RICHARD  in. 

As  soon  as  the  troops  had  arrived  upon  the  heights 
around  Harper's  Ferry,  another  line  of  breastworks  was 
constructed,  which  were  planned  and  built  with  more 
skill  and  care  than  heretofore.  Shovels,  picks  and  axes 
were  distributed  among  the  men,  with*  which  they  went 
merrily  to  work,  throwing  up  the  dirt,  felling  trees  and 
placing  the  logs  to  sustain  the  embankments. 

The  enemy  having  followed  close  upon  the  heels  of  the 
retreating  army,  in  the  meanwhile  was  keeping  up  a  con 
stant  show  of  hostile  intentions.  By  day  and  by  night 
they  persistently  harassed  our  picket  line  by  their  sharp 
shooters.  The  rebels  had  also  concealed  themselves  be 
hind  temporary  earthworks  and  in  rifle  pits.  For  six 
days  the  two  armies  laid  near  together,  watching  each 
other  with  great  intentness.  Like  wild  beasts,  they  were 
crouchingly  eyeing  each  other,  afraid  to  move  for  fear  of 
being  thrown  off  their  guard — each  ready  to  spring  when 
the  first  evidence  of  weakness  in  his  opponent  should  be 
apparent.  Reconnoissances  were  frequently  made,  which 
invariably  resulted  in  finding  the  enemy  in  large  force, 
and  consequently  a  repulse  and  a k  retreat.  Before  day 
light  every  morning,  the  Regiment  was  ordered  up  to 
stand  under  arms. 


AND  FOUIJTEBNTH  RE6IMBMT.  409 

August  27th,  a  reconnoissance  in- force  was  made -by 
General  Crook's  Corps,  which  recited  in  a  loss  of  about 
three  hundred  killed  and  wounded;  but  the  important 
discovery  was  made  that  the  main  body  of  the  enemy's 
force  had  departed.  Instantly,  orders  were  issued  to  be 
ready  to  march.  The  day  wore  away  in  preparation  for 
another  "  see-saw  campaign." 

At  4  A.  M.  of  the  28th,  reveille  sounded.  It  was  not 
till  8  o'clock  that  the  bugle  at  Brigade  Headquarters 
sounded  the  "  assembly,"  notifying  the  men  to  form  in 
line.  In  a  few  moments  more  the  General  and  staff 
mounted  their  horses,  and  with  the  Brigade  flag  moved 
out  into  the  road.  Again  the  bugle  warbled  forth  the 
"forward,"  and  then  all  over  the  heights  the  stationary 
lines  of  troops  commenced  to  march  towards  the  road. 
Once  upon  the  dusty  pike,  the  long  line  went  crawling  at 
a  steady  pace  up  the  valley. 

It  should  not  be  supposed  that  soldiers  upon  a  march 
are  compelled  to  observe  the  regular  cadence  of  step,  and 
move  in  all  the  precision  of  a  drill  or  a  parade.  On  the 
contrary,  the  men  are  allowed  to  adopt  whatever  gait 
they  may  choose,  carry  their  guns  and  equipments  in  any 
position  most  conducive  to  ease,  converse,  or  shout  as 
much  as  they  please,  and  in  fact  are  subject  but  to  one 
restriction,  and  that  is  they  must  keep  their  relative 
places  in  the  line.  If  a  soldier  is  taken  sick,  he  can 
easily  secure  a  card  from  his  Surgeon,  who  always  rides 
in  the  rear  of  his  Regiment,  if  his  complaint  on  investiga 
tion  proves  to  be  genuine.  Whenever  the  ambulance 
train  may  come  along,  this  card  is  a  voucher  to  the  am 
bulance  officer  that  the  bearer  is  entitled  to  a  ride. 

At  stated  times  during  the  march,  the  bugle  at  the  head 
of  each  command  repeats  from  the  head  of  the  army  the 


410  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

calls  to  "  halt "  and  -"  lie  down."  For  a  few  minutes  the 
organization  of  the  army  is  lost.  The  lines  are  broken 
up,  some  of  the  men  scattering  around  to  repose  upon 
the  cleanest  grass,  others  starting  for  brooks  or  springs, 
and  many  opening  their  haversacks  to  appease  their  ap 
petites  with  cold  meat  and  hard  tack.  If  it  is  in  the 
night  time,  adjoining  fences  will  be  quickly  torn  down, 
rails  piled  up  in  heaps,  and  roaring  fires  will  be  instantly 
started,  around  which  throngs  of  men  will  stand  and 

warm  their  chilled  bodies.     At  the  end  of  ten  or  fifteen 

• 

minutes,  the  clear,  sharp  notes  of  a  distant  bugle  will 
be  repeated  by  one  bugler  after  another,  until  the  hills, 
valleys  and  forests  echo  with  the  familiar  sounds  of 
"  attention."  Then  the  men  will  jump  up,  and  bustle  to 
their  places  in  line,  and  the  entire  army  will  be  instantly 
formed.  Again,  toot,  toot,  toot,  will  come  the  brazen 
order  to  move  forward,  and  away  the  ponderous  mass  of 
men,  horses  and  wagons  sweep  ahead. 

An  army,  when  viewed  as  an  unit,  is  a  majestic  and 
sublime  spectacle.  It  conveys  to  the  mind  of  an  ob 
server  a  more  overwhelming  idea  of  power  and  mo 
mentum  than  a  sight  of  Niagara  Falls  or  a  herd  of  wild 
cattle  can  ever  produce,  because  he  appreciates  that  here 
is  not  only  a  great  accumulation  of  muscular  strength, 
but  an  immense  concentration  of  human  intellect,  of 
mental  force.  It  is  mind  and  nerve,  as  well  as  strong 
arms,  that  makes  an  army  appear  to  be  the  highest  per 
fection  of  earthly  power.  When  viewed  in  detail,  an 
army  loses  much  of  its  inspiring  and  romantic  effect.  A 
single  soldier  separated  from  the  great  machine — all  be 
grimed  with  dust,  ragged  and  hairy,  harnessed  up  with 
a  great  profusion  of  wide  leather  belts,  burdened  with  a 
<lirty  knapsack,  haversack,  canteen,  etc,,  from  which  are 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMEHT.  411 

suspended  greasy    frying   pans,   little   rusty    pails  and 
hatchets — is  not  a  very  poetical  appearing  object. 

Once  more  our  men  were  obliged  to  tramp  upon  the 
well-known  road  to  Charlestown.  When  within  sight  of 
the  town,  the  Regiment  halted  to  rest  in  the  shade  of  a 
forest,  while  the  advance  wTas  carefully  feeling  the  way. 
Presently  the  men  were  in  the  streets  of  Charlestown, 
again  shouting  the  John  Brown  song.  The  inhabitants 
of  this  place  stated  that  they  never  saw  a  body  of  United 
States  troops  pass  through  their  town  without  hearing 
that  same  old  tune.  They  must  have  been  greatly  an 
noyed  by  it,  and  for  the  sake  of  personal  comfort  must 
have  wished  that  John  Brown  had  never  been  born. 
One  thing  is  certain,  that  his  trial  and  execution  cost 
them  a  fine  court  house  and  jail.  At  some  time  during 
the  war,  the  Union  soldiers  had  completely  sacked  and 
destroyed  these  once  beautiful  edifices,  leaving  scarcely 
their  bare  walls  standing.  Upon  the  white  front  of  the 
court  house,  ruthless  hands  had  inscribed  in  charcoal 
marks  a  variety  of  poetical  and  anti-slavery  sentiments. 

Charlestown  at  one  time  contained  a  population  of 
fifteen  hundred  souls,  and  was  really  a  beautiful  southern 
village ;  but  its  churches,  buildings,  gardens  and  fences 
had  suffered  more  horribly  from  the  effects  of  war  than 
any  place  our  men  had  before  visited.  The  people,  of 
course,  were  uncompromising  secessionists. 

A  short  distance  beyond  the  village,  the  Nineteenth 

Corps   turned  to   the  right   upon  a  small  "dirt  road." 

"  About  two  miles  from  town,  at  6  r.  M.,  they  encamped 

upon  the  summit  of  a  knoll.  ;  Orders  were  at  once  issued 

to  fortify  the  position.     Before   bed  time   an  excellent 

^breastwork  was  constructed,  behind  which  the  arms  were 

stacked,  to  be  in  readiness  for  a  night  attack.     The  men 

27 


412  RECORD  OF  THE  OtfB  HUtfDRKD 

distributed  themselves  among  their  shelters,  and  by  the 
time  the  bugle  sounded  the  tattoo,  all  'were  fast  asleep, 
save  the  cooks,  who  were  droning  over  their  fires  and 
kettles,  or  the  watchful  sentinel  on  his  post. 

In  the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  loud  and  rapid  cannon 
ading  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  Bunker  Hill.  The 
news  was  soon  received  that  a  division  o  f  cavalry  had 
been  attacked  and  driven  some  distance  by  an  overpower 
ing  force  of  the  enemy,  but  that  the  disaster  was  after 
wards  reclaimed  by  the  timely  arrival  of  a  division  of  the 
Sixth  Corps,  who  severely  repulsed  the  rebels. 

Five  days  our  men  lay  in  camp  upon  the  knoll,  in*  a 
meadow,  constantly  held  in  readiness  for  an  instant  move 
ment,  or  a  night  attack.  Artillery  was  posted,  breast 
works  were  strengthened,  the  strictest  vigilance  was 
observed  upon  the  picket  line,  stringent  orders  were 
issued,  the  most  rigid  discipline  enforced,  the  drums  were 
not  allowed  to  sound  the  camp  calls.  Yet  the  enemy 
delayed  the  impending  battle.  Guerrillas  were  hovering 
around  the  lines,  attacking  unarmed  or  solitary  soldiers, 
and  cowardly  fleeing  at  any  considerable  force. 

The  camp  was  an  exceedingly  inconvenient  one,  by 
reason  of  the  scarcity  of  water.  There  were  no  streams 
in  the  neighborhood,  and  the  only  available  supply  of 
water  was  from  a  well  in  the  yard  of  the  quaint  old 
mansion  of  one  Washington,  which  was  situated  in  a 
piece  of  wood  in  front  of  the  camp.  The  finest  residen 
ces  in  this  section  are  often  found  at  quite  a  distance  from 
any  highway. 

August  31st,  the  troops  were  again  mustered  for  pay. 

At  10  P.  M.  of  September  2d,  an  order  came  to  be 
ready  to  march  at  4  o'clock  the  next  morning.  At  the 
appointed  hour  the  whole  army  was  put  in  motion.  Line 


AflTD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  413 

after  line  of  troops  were  seen  filing  away  to  the  left, 
across  cultivated  fields,  tearing  down  the  fences  before 
them.  The  crops  were  not  abundant,-  and  grew  smaller 
by  degrees  and  beautifully  less,  before  the  advance  of  tha 
army.  The  inhabitants,  of  course,  were  anything  but 
pleased  with  their  lot.  During  that  day's  march,  our 
men  were  stimulated  in  their  labors  by  hearing  the  joyful 
news  that  General  Sherman  had  captured  Atlanta.  At 
11  o'clock,  a  halt  and  a  rest  was  made  upon  their  old 
camp  ground  near  Berryville. 

Advancing  about  a  mile  upon  a  narrow  road,  in  a 
north-easterly  direction,  the  First  Brigade  was  formed 
into  line  beneath  the  crest  of  a  gentle  slope,  in  a  rough, 
open  field.  Instantly,  a  sudden  roar  of  musketry,  mingled 
with  deeper  tones  of  artillery,  burst  forth  upon  the  oppo 
site  side  of  a  piece  of  wood  toward  Berryville.  While 
our  men  were  astonished  at  the  amazing  suddenness  of 
the  attack,  they  loaded  their  pieces  and  patiently  awaited 
further  developments.  In  a  few  moments  the  tumult  or 
battle  died  away,  and  as  twilight  deepened  into  darkness, 
all  was  still  as  though  sinful  man  had  never  disturbed 
nature's  repose.  It  was  learned  that  while  the  Eighth 
Corps  was  making  preparations  for  a  night's  encamp 
ment,  it  came  suddenly  upon  a  force  of  the  enemy,  which 
was  repulsed  after  a  short  but  spirited  contest. 

The  Regiment  was  ordered  to  bivouac.  Before  the 
shelters  were  pitched,  the  darkened  skies  poured  down 
torrents  of  rain,  converting  the  camp  ground  into  a 
swamp.  The  fires  were  suddenly  extinguished,  and  be 
ing  deprived  of  warm  suppers,  the  men  rolled  their 
bodies  in  drenched  blankets,  and  laid  down  upon  the 
damp  earth.  Those  who  could  not  sleep,  amused  them 
selves  in  shouting  and  annoying  their  neighbors.  On« 


414  RECORD  OF  THE  OKE  HUNDRED 

man  said  that  lie  had  to  paddle  with  his  hands  and  feet 
to  keep  his  head  above  the  water.  Another  grumbled  a 
good  deal  at  being  camped,  as  he  said,  "  in  the  middle  of 
a  mill  pond."  Another  one  declared  that  they  would 
have  to  come  along  in  the  morning  with  a  gunboat,  to 
pick  up  the  men.  A  comrade  responded  to  the  latter 
statement,  by  saying  he  could  keep  afloat  as  long  as  he 
had  on  a  pair  of  government  shoes. 

When  the  first  glimmering  rays  of  daylight  came,  the 
men  crawled  forth  from  muddy  depressions  in  the  spongy 
soil,  to  be  gladdened  by  the  genial  beams  of  the  king  of 
day.  After  breakfast,  all  hands  commenced  digging  an 
other  line  of  entrenchments.  Scarcely  had  their  work 
been  half  completed,  when  an  order  came  to  move. 

A  new  and  more  defensible  line  was  to  be  established. 
A  quarter  of  a  mile  to  the  front  the  Regiment  marched, 
and  was  posted  upon  the  top  of  a  gentle  hill,  from  which 
a  good  view  could  be  had  of  the  surrounding  country. 
Apparently  not  the  least  disheartened  by  the  useless  task 
of  the  morning,  the  boys  again  commenced  to  throw  up 
a  new  breastwork. 

It  is  astonishing  what  an  elasticity  of  temper  old  soldiers 
possess.  The  most  discouraging  circumstances  cannot  dis 
concert  them.  They  acquire  the  habit  of  thinking  that  a 
carefully  laid  plan  or  a  fond  hope  is  liable  at  any  time  to  be 
blighted  by  some  contradictory  order.  It  is  their  desti 
ny,  and  they  cheerfully  submit  to  their  fate,  without 
troubling  themselves  enough  to  grumble  or  ask  questions. 

The  men  were  stimulated  to  work  rapidly  upon  their 
new  defenses,  from  hearing  angry  skirmishing  on  the 
picket  line,  and  from  the  prevalent  rumor  that  the  enemy 
was  disposing  his  lines  for  an  assault.  It  was  undoubt 
edly  true  that  the  whole  rebel  army  was  but  a  mile  or  so 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  415 

distant,  and  that  they  were  giving  alarming  proofs  of  a 
battle.  By  sundown  the  tired  veterans  laid  down  their 
implements,  with  the  gratifying  feeling  that  their  works 
were  effectually  completed. 

"  We  can  hold  this  hill  now,  against  ten  thousand 
men,"  said  one  man. 

"  How  we  can  mow  the  cusses  down,  if  they  try  to 
come  up  that  slope,"  joined  in  another,  with  a  self-com 
placent  chuckle. 

"  Artillery  hain't  any  kind  of  show  against  that  breast 
work,"  still  another  suggested. 

The  morning  of  the  5th  opened  with  the  crack,  crack, 
of  muskets  on  the  picket  line.  In  a  little  while  the  pick 
et  posts  were  seen  to  be  falling  back  before  the  rebel 
skirmish  line.  Our  men  were  then  ordered  behind  their 
works,  and  then  waited  and  hoped  for  a  chance  to  try 
their  new  defenses.  But  as  soon  as  the  enemy  came  in 
sight  of  the  formidable  works,  he  beat  a  hasty  retreat. 
Rebel  prisoners  subsequently  stated  that  their  army  was 
formed  for  a  general  attack  that  morning,  but  when  their 
skirmishers  discovered  the  impregnable  position  of  the 
Union  army,  they  abandoned  their  plan  and  fell  back  to 
Winchester.  With  the  exception  of  a  little  picket  firing, 
they  no  longer  annoyed  our  boys  in  the  neighborhood 
of  Berryville. 

The  army  remained  in  this  camp  for  two  weeks  of 
rainy  weather,  doing  but  little  else  than  drill.  Several 
reconnoissances  were  made  at  different  times,  which  re 
sulted  in  finding  the  rebels  but  a  short  distance  off,  and 
prepared  for  battle.  On  one  of  these  occasions  the  Sixth 
Corps  captured  an  entire  Regiment — the  Eighth  South 
Carolina — which  called  forth  a  congratulatory  order  from 
General  Sheridan. 


i 

410  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  llth  of  September  was  a  day  set  apart  by  the 
President,  for  thanksgiving  over  the  recent  victories  at 
Atlanta  and  Mobile.  Accordingly  the  Regiment  was 
drawn  up  in  line  at  noon,  to  listen  to  the  reading  of  the 
Proclamation  by  Adjutant  Coope.  Prayer  was  also  offer 
ed  up  by  Sergeant  South  worth,  of  Company  A. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  the  news  flew  through  the 
camp  that  General  Grant  had  arrived  at  the  army  Head 
quarters.  The  remarks  became  general  around  camp- 
fires  :  "  Now  we  shall  have  lively  times."  "  Old  Grant 
will  stop  this  playing  with  the  enemy."  "  Look  out  now 
for  a  big  fight."  "  Some  of  us  fellows  won't  be  living  in 
a  few  days."  Their  opinions  were  based  upon  pretty 
strong  logic,  and  were  found  to  have  been  correct. 

General  Grant  had  given  his  orders  to  General  Sheri 
dan  in  these  significant  words :  "  Go  IN  !" 


AND  FOURTEENTH  JXKGIM3SJMT.  4*  7 


^CHAPTER    XLII. 

In  God's  name,  cheerly  on,  courageous  friends, 
To  reap  the  harvest  of  perpetual  peace 
By  this  one  bloody  trial  of  eharp  war. 

KINO  RICDAR*  TTI. 

On  the  18th  of  September,  an  order  came  to  send  to 
the  rear  all  superfluous  baggage,  and  be  ready  to  march 
at  3  P.  M.  The  camps  were  now  thrown  into  commotion, 
with  the  most  careful  preparation  for  what  every  one  felt 
to  be  severe  work.  An  inspection  of  arms  and  ammuni 
tion  was  had,  tents  and  baggage  were  carried  away,  and 
at  the  designated  hour  the  camps  had  disappeared,  the 
pickets  had  been  called  in,  and  all  was  ready  to  move. 
But  another  order  came,  changing  the  time  of  marching 
till  2  o'clock  of  Monday  morning.  f  So  the  men  re-pitched 
their  shelters,  to  enjoy  part  of  a  night's  sleep.  At  mid 
night,  drums  and  bugles  re-animated  the  camp,  and  this 
time  there  was  no  failure  in  the  immediate  execution  of 
the  order  to  march.  In  a  short  time  the  men  were  trudg 
ing  along  upon  the  pike  towards  Winchester,  twelve 
miles  removed.  Before  daylight  they  had  accomplished 
about  half  of  the  distance,  without  anything  of  impor 
tance  occurring. 

A  glaring  and  blood-red  sun  arose  over  the  Blue 
Ridge,  and  ushered  in  the  fatal  day  of  the  19th  of  Sep 
tember.  Oh !  how  many  a  healthy  and  cheerful  young 
man  never  saw  the  decline  of  that  fiery  orb !  What 
horrid  scenes  of  carnage  and  death  were  witnessed,  be 
fore  yonder  burning  sun  had  hid  himself  behind  the  west- 
em  mountains! 


4t8 


BBCORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRHD 


Simultaneously  with  the  appearance  of  daylight,  the 
roar  of  cannon  along  the  front  proved  that  the  cavalry 
had  fallen  upon  the  enemy,  and  also  convinced  the  men 
that  a  battle  was  imminent.  Yet  they  hWd  been  deceived 
so  often  within  the  past  two  months,  by  the  appearance 
and  noise  of  fighting,  without  coming  to  any  general  en 
gagement,  that  they  could  hardly  believe  that  severe 
work  was  near  at  hand. 

Hour  after  hour  of  the  forenoon 'passed  away,  in  which 
the  troops  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  gained  but  a  few 
miles,  being  delayed  by  the  movements  of  a  wagon  train 
in  their  front.  All  the  while  the  sounds  of  battle  kept 
increasing,^  and  our  men  apparently  were  arriving  no 
nearer  the  scene  of  conflict. 

Finally  the  trains  were  turned  oif  from  the  road,  and 
closely  parked  upon  a  high  knoll  near  the  Opequan  Creek. 
Then  the  troops  were  hurried  forward  at  a  sharp  pace 
down  a  steep  declivity,  through  the  clear  stream  of  the 
Opequan,  and  into  a  cleep  gorge  where  flowed  the  turbu 
lent  waters  of  Abraham  Creek.  Here  they  came  upon 
the  revolting  and  sickening  indications  of  battle.  A 
large  nospital  tent  erected  near  the  road,  was  filled  to 
overflowing  with  a  gory  mass  of  mangled  and  suffering 
humanity.  Upon  either  side  of  the  pike  was  crowded 
cavalrymen  with  horses,  who,  having  finished  their  part 
of  the  battle,  in  developing  the  position  and  numbers  of 
the  enemy,  were  standing  one  side  to  let  the  infantry 
pass  by. 

On  the  steep  slopes  of  that  narrow  defile,  among  rocks 
and  bushes,  were  also  a  throng  of  skulkers  and  non-com 
batants.  When  our  men  perceived  that  these  cowardly 
fellows  had  not  dared  to  go  any  further,  they  knew  to  a 
certainty  that  a  battle  was  to  be  fought.  The  instinct  of 
a  confirmed  straggler  is  an  infallible  indication  of  coining 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  410 

danger.  He  educates  himself  in  the  study  of  probabili 
ties  to  such  a  degree  that  he  always  makes  "  a  point " 
when  he  incurs  the  disgrace  and  penalties  of  skulking. 

Our  men  conversed  with  the  cavalrymen  as  they 
trudged  by. 

"  Are  there  many  Johnnies  ahead  ?"  they  asked. 

The  usual  reply  was,  "  Oh,  yes,  plenty  of  them,  and  they 
are  gritty  this  morning.  They  mean  to  fight  to-day." 

"  Have  you  had  much  of  a  fight  ?" 

"  Yes,  we've  had  a  close  twist,  but  we  couldn't  budge 
'em,  and  we  had  to  wait  for  you  fellows  to  come  up." 

Our  men  believed  that  the  contest  surely  was  to  be  one 
of  unusual  severity,  in  which  General  Sheridan's  gallant 
and  dashing  cavalry  had  been  unable  to  budge  the  ene 
my.  What  splemlid  soldiers  these  cavalrymen  were  ! 
After  fighting  all  the  forenoon,  there  they  stood,  quietly 
holding  their  horses'  bridles  by  the  way-side,  as  cool  and 
collected  as  though  they  had  been  doing  nothing  uncom 
mon,  while  patiently  awaiting  their  next  orders. 

Shortly  the  troops  came  out  of  the  ravine  upon  a  high 
rolling  country,  covered  with  farms,  which  stretched  out 
before  them  two  miles  to  Winchester.  Several  strips  of 
narrow  wood  intervened  between  the  army  and  the  town. 

The  Sixth  Corps  was  already  here,  in  formation  of  bat 
tle  upon  the  left  of  the  pike,  its  lines  reaching  beyond  the 
rat*ge  of  vision.  Skirmishers  and  a  few  pieces  of  artil 
lery  were  also  banging  away  at  long  range. 

The  Nineteenth  Corps  was  moved  about  half  a  mile  to 
the  right  of  the  road,  and  placed  in  position  for* battle, 
behind  a  belt  of  forest.  The  Second  Division  was'  dis 
posed  as  the  advance  line,  and  our  First  Division  formed 
several  hundred  yards  in  its  rear,  as  a  reserve  and  a  sup 
port.  The  Brigades  were  consolidated  into  a  close  col- 


420  RECORD  OF  THB  ONE  HUSTDBED 

f- 

urnn  by  Regiments,  of  which  iii  the  First  Brigade  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  the  leading  Battalion. 

It  took  a  long  time  to  make  all  these  elaborate  prepar 
ations,  and  the  torrid  sun  had  already  passed  the  zenith. 
Yet  General  Sheridan  wanted  to  be  certain  that  every 
thing  was  exactly  ready  before  he  made  his  onward  move 
ment.  He  rode  rapidly  up  and  down  the  lines,  taking 
careful  note  of  all  the  dispositions,  and  making  several 
corrections.  To  every  general  officer  he  gave  in  person 
this  order :  "  When  you  hear  my  bugle  sound  the  for 
ward,  do  you  repeat  the  call,  and  move  immediately  upon 
the  enemy."  The  men  were  annoyed  at  the  delay,  and 
commenced  to  say  to  each  other : 

"  What  is  the  use  of  keeping  us  so  long  in  suspense  ?'' 

"  If  we  are  going  to  fight,  why  d&n't  they  put  us  in, 
and  have  it  done  with  ?" 

Finally,  away  across  the  fields  came  the  faint  notes 
of  a  distant  bugle.  The  strains  were  warbled  forth  from 
hundreds  of  brazen  throats,  and  instantly  the  immense 
army  silently  and  majestically  commenced  to  move  slow 
ly  forward.  In  front  of  the  Regiment,  the  Second  Divis 
ion  was  seen  to  disappear  in  the  forest.  Soon  our  men 
began  to  tramp  in  the  shade  of  huge  trees,  where  nothing- 
was  heard  save  the  rustling  of  multitudinous  feet,  and 
the  crackling  of  little  twigs  upon  the  dry  leaves.  It 
seemed  as  though  every  one  was  holding  his  breath,  in 
the  dread  stillness  that  preceded  the  impending  crash. 

Now  a  few  shots  were  heard  a  short  distance  ahead, 
and  immediately  the  solemn  woods  roared  and  echoed 
with  the  crash  of  thousands  of  muskets.  Then  yells  and 
shrieks,  the  hissing  noise  of  missiles,  the  heavy,  deep  base 
of  artillery,  the  humming  of  fragments  of  shells,  joined 
in  the  confusion  of  unearthly  sounds.  So  suddenly  did 


AKD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  421 

the  battle  of  the  Opequan  open,  that  many   were  struck 
down  before  they  had  time  to  realize  their  danger. 

The  line  kept  moving  forward  during  these  exciting 
moments,  struggling  through  a  deep  thicket.  A  light 
gleamed  through  the  trees  in  front,  and  quickly  the  men 
came  out  into  the  sunshine.  Before  them  was  a  broad, 
undulating  field,  and  there,  upon  the  opposite  edge,  along 
the  border  of  a  forest,  was  a  long  line  of  rebels  in  full 
view,  save  when  the  smoke  of  their  volleys  partly  obscur 
ed  them. 

Our  men  took  but  one  quick,  nervous  glance,  and  per 
ceived  the  terrible  situation.  The  Second  Division  was 
routed,  and  was  pouring  back  across  the  field  upon  our 
lines.  As  soon  as  the  steady  and  well-formed  column  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  exhibited  to  the 
rebels,  they  desisted  from  shooting  upon  the  fugitives, 
and  concentrated  their  whole  fire  upon  this  single  unpro 
tected  Regiment.  The  result  was  perfectly  horrible,  re 
volting,  heart-rending.  It  seemed  but  an  instant  of  time 
before  scores  of  our  noble  men  were  lying  bleeding  upon 
the  ground.  Still  the  heroic  Regiment  kept  moving 
forward  in  the  open  field,  leaving  its  track  distinctly 
marked  with  the  prostrate  bodies  of  brave  comrades. 
The  men  were  restrained  from  firing,  because  the  Second 
Division  had  not  all  retired  from  in  front  of  them. 

With  inflexible  determination,  the  rapidly  thinning 
ranks  struggled  forward,  breasting  not  only  a  deluge  of 
lead  and  iron,  but  a  torrent  of  frantic  fugitives  and 
wounded  men.  It  was  a  moment  of  such  delirious  ex 
citement  and  terror,  that  men  before  accustomed  to  the 
sights  and  sounds  of  battle,  quivered  and  paled  at  the 
prospect  before  them.  Once  a  visible  shudder  passed 
through  the  line,  of  the  Regiment,  and  it  appeared  to  be 


422  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

wavering,  but  Colonel  Per  Lee  rode  up  and  down  before 
the  men,  and  making  himself  heard' above  the  din  of  con 
flict,  encouraged  and  strengthened  them  with  cheering 
words,  as  well  as  by  his  gallant  example.  But  in  a  mo 
ment  he,  too,  was  struck  down,  and  Major  Curtis  assumed 
command.  The  Major's  horse  had  been  killed,  and  on 
foot  he  was  compelled  to  direct  movements. 

The  doomed  Regiment  had  not  proceeded  in  this  stub 
born  manner  more  than  five  hundred  feet  from  the  forest, 
before  it  was  discovered  that  it  was  all  alone  in  the 
unequal  contest.  Immediately  the  remnant  of  the  com 
mand  was  halted,  and  down  the  men  laid  flat  on  the  grass. 

It  appeared  that  at  the  time  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  cleared  the  wood,  the  great  danger  of  the 
army  became  apparent,  and  the  other  Regiments  of  the 
First  Brigade  were  ordered  to  deploy  upon  our  command 
In  line  of  battle.  In  the  bustle  and  excitement  of  the 
moment,  their  movements  were  slowly  and  bunglingly 
performed.  Thus,  while  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  was  struggling  and  bleeding,  exposed  to  the  ene 
my,  the  remainder  of  the  Brigade  was  maneuvering  in 
the  concealment  of  the  forest.  When  at  last  the  entire 
line  was  formed,  it  advanced  only  to  the  border  of  the 
timber  and  opened  fire  from  that  point.  Our  Regiment 
presenting  the  only  exposed  line,  received  the  converg 
ing  .fire  of  an  entire  Brigade  of  rebels.  Not  only  in  its 
front  but  upon  either  flank  the  enemy's  "balls  were  pour 
ing,  while  over  the  heads  of  the  men  was  a  perpetual 
halo  of  fire  and  smoke  from  bursting  shells. 

As  they  were  reclining  on  the  ground,  they  began 
slowly  and  deliberately  to  deliver  their  fire  upon  the 
^nemy.  Loading  their  pieces  upon  their  backs,  they 
rolled  over  and  took  careful  aim  upon  the  distinct  forms 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMENT.  423 

of  the  rebels  across  the  field.  The  effects  of  their  firing 
must  have  been  terribly  galling  upon  the  enemy ;  still 
he  held  his  line  in  plain  sight,  waving  his  blood-red  bat 
tle-flags  in  token  of  defiance.  On  the  other  hand,  our 
boys  seemed  to  have  enjoyed  no  exemption  from  his  at 
tentions  by  lying  upon  the  ground.  The  veterans  of 
Stonewall  Jackson  fired  amazingly  low,  so  that  the  grass 
and  earth  in  front  of  the  Regiment  was  cut  and  torn  up 
by  a  perfect  sheet  of  lead.  Their  bullets  sought  the 
hiding  places  of  the  men  with  fatal  accuracy,  and  by 
ones  and  twos  and  threes,  they  went  crawling  to  the 
rear,  with  their  blue  cjothes  defaced  with  streaks  and 
clots  of  crimson  gore.  Blood  was  on  everything — was 
everywhere.  Blood  was  bedraggled  upon  the  pure 
grass — was  spattered  upon  bushes — was  gathered  in 
ghastly  puddles  upon  the  ground.  Upon  one  side  was  a 
sigh  and  a  groan  ;  on  the  other  followed  a  shriek.  Hero 
was  heard  a  few  parting  words  of  endearment  ;  there  a 
dull  heavy  thud,  as  a  ball  entered  the  vitals  of  some 
fated  comrade. 

For  one  long  mortal  hour  our  boys  held  the  enemy  in- 
check.  They  retained  their  ground  so  tenaciously,  and 
punished  him  so  severely,  that  he  dare  not  follow  up  the 
rout  of  the  Second  Division,  and  carry  out  his  cherished 
plan  of  turning  the  right  flank  of  the  army.  The  line 
that  our  Regiment  held  was  a  vital  point  for  the  salva 
tion  of  the  army — a  necessity  to  the  acquirement  of  vic 
tory.  At  length  the  men  were  cheered  to  observe  that 
the  rebels  had  retired  to  the  cover  of  the  wood  •  and  then 
a  mere  remnant — all  that  was  left  of  the  Regiment — 
sprang  to  their  feet,  -and  under  a  heavy  fire,  in  a  steady 
line  moved  back  to  the  forest.  Here  they  were  united  to 
the  left  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  and  One  Hun- 


424  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDKKD 

dred  and  Fifty-Third  New  York,  these  being-  the  only 
Regiments  of  the  Brigade  remaining  at  that  place,  since 
General  Beal  and  the  balance  of  his  command  had  been 
ordered  in  the  early  part  of  the  action  far  around  upon 
the  right  flank  of  the  army,  to  guard  against  a  threaten 
ed  attack  in  that  direction. 

The  labors  and  suffering  of  our  men,  even  now.  were 
not  ended.  The  small  force  of  three  Regiments  was  di 
rected  to  charge  across  the  same  field  where  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  had  "  offered  up  its  glorious 
sacrifice "  but  a  short  time  before.  Although  dreading 
the  renewal  of  the  awful  scenes  •  and  trials  of  the  past 
hour,  the  few  survivors  closed  up  the  shattered  ranks, 
gave  a  defiant  yell,  and  rushed  forth  upon  that  hard 
contested  field. 

Again  they  were  compelled  to  stem  a  murderous  volley, 
yet  with  undiminished  courage  kept  steadily  on  their 
course.  The  color-bearer  was  shot  down,  but  their  flag 
was  still  borne  aloft,  for  Lieutenant  Breed  had  seized  it, 
and  was  carrying  it  before  the  Regiment.  Having  reach 
ed  a  line  of  rail  fence,  running  lengthwise  of  the  battle 
ground,  the  little  command  was  halted,  and  ordered  to 
open  upon  the  enemy,  who  was  but  two  Hundred  yards 
removed.  Reclining  behind  the  fence,  the  men  began  a 
violent  file-firing.  Having  recovered  from  the  first  ex 
citement  and  nervousness  of  battle,  they  were  now  cool, 
determined,  in  a  state  of  deliberate  exasperation.  They 
were  losing  dear  comrades  all  around  them,  but  all  their 
tender  feelings,  for  the  time  being,  had  gone,  and  they 
thought  only  of  deep  and  bitter  revenge. 

Here  the  noble  and  gallant  Breed  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  side,  and  borne  with  great  danger  from 
the  field.  Just  before  going  into  the  fight,  he  called  his 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGJM15BP1'.  425 

servant  and  said  to  him  :  "  William,  go  and  fill  my  can 
teen  with  water ;  it  may  be  the  last  you  will  ever  bring 
me."  Sure  enough,  it  was  the  last.  About  11  o'clock  at 
night,  in  a  house  occupied  by  wounded  officers,  he  sank 
away.  His  last  audible  words  were:  "Thank  God  for 
victory  !  I  am  dying." 

The  enemy  was  almost  entirely  concealed  in  the  forest, 
but  the  smoke  and  the  singing  of  bullets  gave  proof  of 
his  dangerous  presence.  Great  columns  of  white  smoke 
puffed  out  of  the  thicket  in  front,  and  shell  ^exploded 
around  them  with  a  metallic  concussion,  or  went  plung 
ing  and  bounding  to  the  rear.  A  correspondent  stated 
that  after  the  engagement,  the  position  of  the  Brigade 
behind  this  place  "  was  distinguishable  by  a  long,  straight 
line  of  dead  and  dying,  here  and  there  piled  one  upon 
another;  the  prostrate  and  bloody  ranks  telling  with 
matchless  eloquence  how  the  American  soldier  can  fight." 

At  length  the  cartridges  became  exhausted,  and  the 
men  were  ordered  back  to  the  covert  of  the  wood. 
Jumping  up,  they  faced  about,  and  marched  slowly  in 
retreat.  There  was  a  moment  of  confusion  in  the  ranks, 
but  the  officers  soon  quelled  it.  Once  in  a  place  of  com 
parative  safety,  the  boys  looked  mournfully  around,  and 
appreciated  for  the  first  time  how  heavy  and  sad  had 
been  their  loss. 

But  no  time  or  courage  was  to  be  lost  in  giving  vent  to 
their  sorrow,  for  the  enemy  was  presenting  a  bold  front 
once  more  upon  the  open  field.  Quickly  replenishing 
their  cartridge-boxes,  they  moved  up  to  the  edge  of  the 
timber,  and  re-opened  a  persistent  and  vigorous  fire  from 
behincV  logs  and  trees.  For  over  two  hours  they  con 
tinued  in  this  work,  with  little  loss,  and  eventually  saw 
the  rebels  retire  out  of  sight  again. 


426  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

Back  in  the  woods  were  heard  shouts  of  command,  and 
the  tramping  of  many  feet.  Soon  a  line  of  fresh  troops, 
with  buoyancy  and  confidence  depicted  upon  their  coun 
tenances,  appeared  in  sight.  It  was  the  Eighth  Corps, 
coming  to  their  relief.  The  little  fragment  of  a 
Regiment  was  called  back,  its  lines  formed  and  united 
with  the  Brigade,  and  marched  off  some  quarter  of  a 
mile  to  the  left.  Then  it  was  held  in  reserve  for  a  move 
ment  by  the  Eighth  Corps. 

The  hour  for  Early's  doom  had  come.  General  Crook 
wa^  not  tardy  in '  his  preparations,  but  immediately 
charged  his  Corps  against  the  stubborn  rebels.  With  a 
cheering  "hurra"  his  broad,  steady  lines  plunged  out  of 
the  woods,  and  majestically  moved  slowly  forward,  firing 
all  the  time.  The  enemy  replied  with  terrific  volleys, 
and  checkered  over  the  fields  with  forms  of  men ;  yet 
with  unflinching  bravery  the  Eighth  Corps  faltered  not  a 
moment. 

Our  boys  were  soon  overjoyed-  in  seeing  the  rebels 
retire  before  the  irresistible  impetus  of  that^magnificent 
charge,  and  to  observe  the  Eighth  Corps  disappear  in  the 
wood  where  the  enemy  had  so  strongly  held  his  position 
throughout  the  day.  Then  our  Brigade  was  ordered  to 
follow  on.  With  bounding  hearts  and  light  feet  the  men 
crossed  unimpeded  the  blood-stained  field,  and  entered 
the  opposite  forest. 

At  this  juncture,  General  Sheridan  rode  along  the  front 
of  the  Brigade ;  and  as  he  was  passing,  he  was  heard  to 
say  to  a  member  of  his  staff:  "  Go,  tell  General  Custar 
that  now  is  his  time  to  strike.  Give  him  my  compli 
ments,  and  order  him  not  to  spare  one  d d  ounce  of 

horse-flesh." 

Within  the  wood  the  boys  saw  hundreds  of  dead  rebels, 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMBNT.  427 

lying  around  in  every  imaginable  posture.  They  felt  a 
grim  satisfaction  in  the  thought  that  very  many  of  those 
lifeless  forms  were  brought  low  through  their  personal 
exertions. 

The  battle  was  not  yet  over,  for  the  firing  and  cheer 
ing  continued  unabated  ahead.  In  a  moment  more  they 
came  out  of  the  timber,  when  a  glorious  sight  burst 
before  their  view.  A  vast  amphitheatre  of  fields  and 
farms  lay  in  front,  as  far  as  the  spires  of  Winchester, 
within  which  thousands  of  men  in  serried  ranks  were 
triumphantly  crowding  and  pressing  upon  the  retreating 
foe.  Occasionally  he  would  make  a  feeble  resistance 
behind  some  stone  wall,  and  again  he  would  scatter  and 
fly  away  from  the  near  approach  of  our  victorious  col 
umns. 

Away  to  the  right  a  dull  thunder  arose.  Looking  in 
the  direction  of  the  setting  sun,  our  men  saw  the  most 
impressive  and  soul-stirring  sight  it  was  ever  their  lot  t« 
witness.  Custar's  cavalry  was  making  a  charge.  Ten 
thousand  horsemen  were  pouring  down  at  a  keen  gallop, 
upon  the  already  discomfited  enemy.  Ten  thousand 
sabres  gltstened  and  quivered  over  their  heads.  Ten 
thousand  chargers  threw  up  a  great  cloud  of  dust  that 
obscured  the  sun. 

"  Shouts,  laughs  and  screams  are  reveling  in  the  wind  ! 
The  neigh  of  cavalry." 

Oh !  it  was  glorious  to  see  how  terror-stricken  the 
rebels  were,  at  the  discovery  of  this  impetuous  charge. 
They  broke  and  ran  in  perfect  dismay.  The  cavalry 
poured  upon  and  rushed  through  a  great  herd  of  stam 
peding  rebels,  capturing  prisoners,  cannon  and  flags — 
striking  here  and  striking  there — until  they  had  all 


4:28  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

passed  out  of  sight,  behind  a  knoll  that  concealed  the 
village  of  Winchester.  Then  the  roar  of  cannon  ceased, 
the  battle  lines  were  broken  up,  and  a  victorious  army  of 
joyous  men  filed  slowly  and  quietly  across  the  fields  to 
camping  grounds. 

The  battle  of  Opequan  had  ended,  save  a  few  distant 
shots  from  the  pursuing  cavalry. 

The  First  Brigade  was  marched  around  to  the  north  of 
the  town,  and  as  the  last  gleam  of  twilight  shone  over 
the  western  hills,  the  men  built  their  fires  and  prepared 
their  camps  on  a  field  about  half  a  mile  from  Winchester. 
After  they  had  discussed  their  little  meal,  and  exchanged 
hearty  congratulations  over  the  splendid  result  of  their 
day's  labors,  expressing  at  the  same  time  sincere  sorrow 
over  their  lamentable  losses,  and  pouring  out  words  of 
mutual  sympathy  for  the  suffering  wounded,  tired  nature 
wooed  them  to  rest. 

While  the  weary  soldiers  slept,  telegraph  wires  flashed 
over  the  loyal  North  the  Jhrilling  news  of  Sheridan's 
great  victory  at  Winchester.  As  the  country  rejoiced, 
thousands  of  family  circles  were  bereaved.  Sons,  fathers 
and  brothers  were  groaning  and  bleeding  upon,  the  floors 
of  buildings  back  of  the  battle-field,  or  were  yet  suffering 
upon  the  chilly  ground.  Very  many,  alas  !  lay  stiff  and 
cold  in  death. 

In  the  battle  of  the  Opequan,  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  lost,  in  killed  and  wounded,  one  hundred  and 
eighty-eight  men,  being  three-fifths  of  the  entire  number 
it  took  into  action.  No  other  Regiment  in  the  army  suf 
fered  to  such  an  extent  as  this.  These  figures  show  how ' 
well  and  nobly  it  performed  its  duty. 

The  tree  dies,  but  in  its  very  decay  nourishes  the  roots 
of  the  new  forest ;  the  silk  worm  dies,  but  his  fabric  does 


A.KD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  429 

not  perish ;  the  wave  wasting  along  the  strand,  in  its 
recession  completes  the  fullness  of  the  one  succeeding  ;  so 
no  vital  current  which  that  day  was  spent  and  spilled 
like  water,  was  so  mighty  for  our  triumph  as  that  which 
flowed  in  deep  red  furrows  from  the  hearts  of  these  brave 
men. 

So  great  is  the  number,  it  is  impossible  to  bestow  sep 
arate  eulogy  upon  the  fallen  dead  on  the  field,  or  upon 
those  who  soon  died  from  terrible  wounds.  We  can  do 
little  more  than  mention  the  names  of  Merrill  and  Smith, 
of  Company  A  ;  Newton  and  Nichols,  Brown  and  Newell, 
Carpenter  and  Jackson,  of  Company  B  ;  Durfy,  Duran  and 
Newton,  of  Company  C  ;  Crarnphin  and  Bennett,  Collins 
and  Gifford,  Walby,  Devaney  and  Steve,  of  Company  D  ; 
Horton  and  Skillman,  McNeil  and  Weld,  Corbit  and 
Toombs,  of  Company  E ;  Weaver,  Miller  and  Davis,  of 
Company  F;  Sunny  and  Cahalin,  Holmes,  Thompson 
and  Short,  of  Company  G ;  Breed  and  Aylesworth,  of 
Company  H  ;  Pangborn  and  Wallace,  Savage  and  McCul- 
lough,  of  Company  K. 

They  were  noble  soldiers  and  true  men  all.  Numbers 
of  them,  with  many  others,  and  some  who  barely  escaped 
with  their  lives,  exhibited  a  heroism  worthy  the  Spartan 
band  of  Leonidas,  at  the  pass  of  Thermopylae. 

We  close  the  narrative  of  the  battle  of  Opequan,  and 
this  melancholy  chapter,  with  the  following  compliment 
ary  orders  from  General  D  wight,  issued  a  short  time 
after  the  engagement : 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  ) 
NEAR  STRASBURG,  Va.,  Sept.  20th,  1864.          \ 

GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  30. 

The  Brigadier  General  Commanding  congratulates  the  Division  on 
their  share  in  the  battle  of  the  19th  inst.,  near  Winchester.  The 


430  BECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

style  in  which  you  repulsed  the  attacks  of  the  enemy  is  worthy  of  all 
prais*.  It  was  the  same,  enemy  you  had  beaten  back  at  Sabine  Cross 
Roads  and  Pleasant  Hill,  and  you  treated  him  in  the  same  manner. 

You  have  again  shown  that  order,  firmness  and  courage  will  always 
prevent  the  enemy  from  breaking  your  lines.  You  also  found  that 
the  same  order  and  firmness  enabled  you  to  break  the  lines  of  the 
enemy.  Confusion  and  unsteadiness  alone  lead  to  a  repulse. 

You  have  lost  some  of  your  best  officers,  and  most  beloved  com 
rades.     The  untarnished  honor  of  the  First  Division  is  their  reward. 
They  are  happy  in  the  arms  of  victory. 
By  command  of 

BRIGADIER  GENERAL  DWIGHT, 

J.  G.  LEEFK,  A.  A.  A.  General. 

HEADQUARTERS  FIRST  DIVISION,  NINETEENTH  ARMY  CORPS,  i 
NEAR  HARRJSONBURG,  Va.,  Sept.  26,  1864.          J 

MAJOR  0.  H.  CURTIS — SIR  :  I  am  directed  by  the  Brigadier  General 
Commanding  this  Division,  to  express  to  the  officers  and  men  of  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New  York  Volunteers,  his  high  appre 
ciation  of  the  noble  conduct  displayed,  and  signal  service  rendered  by 
the  Regiment  on  the  19th  iust.,  during  the  engagement  at  Winchester. 
The  loss  sustained|but  too  clearly  attests  the  position  held,*and  the 
devotion  shown  by  the  Regiment  on  that  day,  exposed  as  it  was  for 
three  hours  to  a  heavy  cross-fire  of  musketry  and  artillery. 

The  General,  while  regretting  the  severity  of  the  loss,  rejoices  that 
wo  gallant,  a  body  of  men  is  attached  to  the  Division  under  his  com 
mand. 

You  are  requested  to  publish  this  to  your  command. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

J.  G.  LEEFE,  A.  A.  A.  General. 


A.KD  POU RTK  K NTH   K KG f  M  K N"f. 


CHAPTER    XLIIT. 


Thus  far  our  fortune  keeps  an  upward  cotuae, 
And  we  are  grac'd  with  wreaths  of  yictory. 

KIWG  HKNJIT  VI. 


Early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  September,  the 
army  was  started  up  the  valley  in  pursuit  of  the  van 
quished  enemy.  The  diminutive  Regiment,  now  scarcely 
larger  than  a  Company,  fell  into  its  place  in  the  Brigade, 
and  went  tramping  across  the  fields,  until  it  came  to  the 
pike,  near  the  little  settlement  of  Kearnstown.  Then, 
keeping  a  little  to  the  left  of  the  road,  the  men  adopted  a 
regular,  even  gait,  for  a  long  day's  journey.  During  the 
forenoon,  they  passed  through  Newt-own,  a  small  place 
with  two  churches  and  a  ruined  academy,  and  in  the 
afternoon  went  through  Middletown,  a  village  of  similar 
appearance,  and  of  about  equal  size.  There  was  consid 
erable  delay  in  passing  Cedar  Creek,  a  deep  and  powerful 
stream,  but  eventually  the  way  was  cleared,  and  the 
Brigade  passed  upon  a  very  respectable  bridge. 

The  ears  of  the  men  were  again  greeted  with  the 
booming  of  artillery.  The  cavalry,  after  a  whole  day's 
pursuit,  had  discovered  the  enemy.  Another  victory  was 
to  be  fought — another  victory  won.  A  mile  beyond 
Cedar  Creek,  the  Brigade  was  camped  at  dark  within  the 
recesses  of  a  deep,  wild  ravine. 

The  troops  were  awakened  at  early  dawn  of  the  21st, 
by  the  sounds  of  battle.  The  enemy  had  evidently  made 
a  stand,  and  was  ready  to  risk  another  engagement  fov 


432  BECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

the  salvation  of  the  valley.  Scouts  and  pickets  reported 
that  two  miles  distant,  the  rebels  were  posted  upon  the 
verge  of  a  high,  steep,  rocky  bluff,  running  at  right  an 
gles  to  the  valley,  called  Fisher's  Hill.  At  the  foot  of 
the  rugged  barrier  flowed  a  rapid  stream  by  the  name  of 
Tumbling  Run.  Added  to  this  almost  impregnable  posi 
tion  were  a  formidable  series  of  earthworks. 

Here,  indeed,  was  a  situation  presenting  strong  dis 
couragements  to  any  further  advance  on  the  part  of  the 
Federals.  Yet,  from  the  movements,  the  men  judged 
that  Sheridan  had  determined  to  drive  Early  from  the 
bluff,  and  pursue  him  still  further  up  the  valley.  After 
the  battle  of  the  Opequan,  our  boys  had  acquired  a  won 
derful  confidence  in  their  General,  and  believed  that  he 
was  adequate  to  any  undertaking. 

As  there  was  no  immediate  movement  in  the  morning, 
the  men  went  out  to  the  peak  of  a  hill  in  front  of  the 
camp,  and  took  a  survey  of  the  surrounding  country  and 
the  enemy's  position.  A  magnificent  landscape  was  pre 
sented  to  their  view.  In  front,  and  towering  over  them, 
the  bold,  precipitous  brow  of  the  Massanutten  Mountain 
broke  off  suddenly  to  the  banks  of  the  Shenandoah  River,, 
close  under  its  base  ;  its  long  range  stretching  off  before 
them  in  the  distance,  divided  the  valley  into  two  parts. 
On  the  left  was  the  Luray  valley ;  on  the  right  was  the 
Shenandoah  proper,  contracted  to  much  narrower  limits 
than  below  this  point.  Rising  out  of  the  centre  of  the 
latter  valley,  was  a  singularly  appearing  hill,  in  the 
form  of  a  cone.  Upon  its  apex  a  gap  had  been  cut  in  the 
forest,  a  tower  constructed,  and  rebel  signal  flags  were 
fluttering  in  the  breeze.  Just  in  front  of  this  eminence 
were  the  "  gigantic  natural  parapets "  of  Fisher's  Hill, 
where  the  enemy  was  entrenched.  Between  the  two 


AKD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  433 

armies  was  a  beautiful  fertile  vale,  in  which  was  quietly 
nestled  the  little  village  of  Strasburg.  The  men  ob 
served  that  our  pickets  were  upon  the  outskirts  of  the 
town,  and  from  the  occasional  puffs  of  smoke,  they  per 
ceived  that  they  were  exchanging  shots  with  rebels  upon 
the  opposite  eminences. 

Till  1 1  o'clock,  the  men  were  not  disturbed  in  tfye  en 
joyment  of  this  beautiful  landscape.  The  Brigade  was 
then  ordered  to  the  right  of  the  pike,  where  a  line  of 
battle  was  formed,  behind  a  little  declivity.  The  boy? 
thought  that  surely  the  time  for  action  had  come,  but 
they  were  agreeably  disappointed,  lying  here  all  the 
afternoon,  concealed  from  the  foe.  Sheridan  was  un 
doubtedly  feeling  and  studying  the  enemy. 

Nothing  but  the  slow,  desultory  firing  of  the  pickets 
broke  the  monotony  of  the  day.  Finally,  at  4  p.  M.,  the 
line  was  ordered  to  advance.  Down  the  side  of  the  hill 
it  descended,  crossed  a  heavy  embankment  of  the  Manas- 
sas  Railroad,  and  halted  in  a  hollow.  Again  they  waited 
a  long  time  for  orders  to  advance.  The  Sixth  Corps 
passed  by  in  a  forest  to  the  left,  and  soon  sharp  musketry 
and  cannonading  indicated  that  it  was  seeking  a  position 
near  the  enemy's  works. 

At  sunset  the  Regiment  received  orders  to  go  on  pick 
et.  Leaving  the  Brigade,  it  marched  through  the  dingy, 
dilapidated  village  of  Strasburg,  and  from  the  southern 
outskirts  of  the  place,  the  men  were  posted  to  the  banks 
of  the  Shenandoah  River.  A  pleasant  night  in  quietude 
was  passed,  but  the  morning  sun  brought  with  it  the 
clamor  of  battle. 

Throughout  the  22d,  the  Regiment  remained  on  picket 
upon  the  flank  of  the  army,  not  engaging  in  the  exciting 
scenes  of  the  battle  of  Fisher's  Hill,  which  was  fought 


434  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRR)> 

that  day,  except  the  sharp  firing  upon  rebel  pickets,  con 
cealed  in  thickets  upon  the  other  side  of  the  river,  might 
be  said  to  be  a  participation  in  the  battle.  Near  the 
reserve  post  was  a  large  vineyard,  where  the  men  regaled 
themselves  with  most  delicious  grapes,  to  the  infinite 
horror  of  the  proprietor.  Many  of  the  officers  and  men 
strolled  into  the  town,  and  chatted  with  pretty  secession 
damsels.  Some  partook  of  an  inferior  dinner  at  a  little 
country  tavern,  for  which  they  paid  a  confederate  price. 

As  the  day  began  to  decline,  the  din  of  battle  towards 
the  front  increased.  The  roar  of  artillery  became  inces 
sant.  Back  of  the  town,  on  a  little  eminence,  was  a 
small  deserted  earthwork,  named  Fort  Banks,  from  the 
former  commander  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  who  once 
made  a  famous  retreat  through  this  place.  Our  batteries 
were  planted  behind  the  defence,  and  opened  with  great 
fury  over  the  enemy's  works,  some  two  miles  distant. 
Shot  and  shell  flew  over  the  roofs  and  steeples  of  the 
village,  in  a  screaming  torrent,  to  the  great  alarm  of  the 
peaceful  inhabitants.  Finally,  near  sunset,  the  men  on 
sightly  posts  saw  the  glorious  Nineteenth  Corps  make  a 
charge.  In  a  few  moments  more,  all  was  still — the  battle 
was  over.  Then  came  the  joyful  news  that  the  enemy 
was  defeated,  and  was  flying  before  the  pursuit  of  our 
army. 

The  Eighth  Corps  and  the  cavalry,  having  worked 
their  way  around  upon  the  flank  of  the  enemy's  position, 
at  5  o'clock  fell  upon  his  left  and  rear.  The  Sixth  and 
Nineteenth  Corps  were  ordered  to  charge  upon  his  front, 
which  effected  his  entire  discomfiture.  Twenty-one  can 
non  were  captured,  besides  a  great  number  of  small  arms, 
wagons  and  flags,  and  thousands  of  prisoners. 

Our  men  knew  not  how  to  express  their   happiness. 


AND  FOUHTBENTH  BKOHNfKNT.  435 

when  every  courier  that  came  down  the  road  brought 
additional  particulars  of  the  great  victory.  In  the  midst 
of  their  rejoicings  an  officer  cnme,  who  ordered  the  pick 
ets  to  be  called  in,  and  the  Regiment  to  join  the  army. 
Soon,  Strasburg  was  left  behind,  and  they  were  swinging 
along  the  pike  at  a  smart  pace.  In  a  short  time  they 
descended  a  steep  ravine,  crossed  Tumbling  Run  upon  a 
fine  stone  bridge,  and  climbed  the  rocky  sides  of  Fisher's 
Hill.  The  road  was  lined  with  squads  of  rebel  prisoners, 
and  filled  with  cannon  and  material — the  trophies  of  vic 
tory. 

Through  all  of  that  night  the  men  toiled  on  in  thick 
darkness,  and  by  daylight  had  made  twelve  miles,  reach 
ing  Woodstock,  where  the  army  was  encamped.  March 
ing  through  a  dirty  street,  enclosed  by  unpainted  and 
rickety  buildings,  they  found  the  Brigade,  but  a  short 
distance  beyond  the  village.  Their  stay  at  this  place 
was  short.  After  four  days'  rations  had  been  issued  to 
the  troops,  at  noon  the  army  was  again  put  in  motion. 
Five  miles  were  traversed  in  the  afternoon,  through  u 
rugged  region,  crossing  with  some  delay  and  difficulty  a 
couple  of  swift  mountain  streams,  and  having  passed 
through  the  quiet  country  village  of  Edinburgh,  they 
camped  in  a  deep  pine  forest. 

Again,  on  the  24th,  the  pursuit  was  continued.  They 
traveled  near  the  base  of  the  Peaked  range  of  mountains, 
close  by  the  banks  of  the  Shenandoah  River,  which  had 
now  been  reduced  to  a  small  stream.  The  grading  and 
ruined  bridges  of  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad  also  ran 
abreast  of  the  pike.  For  five  miles  the  march  was  kept 
up  with  regularity ;  but  when  near  the  settlement  of 
Hawkinsville,  a  long  halt  was  made,  for  the  cavalry  had 
come  up  with  the  rear  of  the  rebel  army,  and  were  en- 


436  RBCOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

gaged  in  a  severe  skirmish.  At  length  they  succeeded  in 
driving  the  enemy,  when  the  inarch  Avas  resumed.  Two 
miles  further  on,  the  troops  arrived  at  a  pleasant  little 
village  called  Mount  Jackson.  Here  were  extensive 
store-houses  of  the  Confederate  Government,  full  of  all 
manner  of  army  material.  There  were  here,  also,  long 
rows  of  hospitals,  filled  with  the  rebel  wounded  of  Win 
chester  and  Fisher's  Hill,  whom  the  fugitives  had  been 
unable  to  carry  further,  and  had  left  to  the  care  of  the 
Yankee  pursuers. 

In  a  short  time  the  public  store-houses  were  in  flames, 
the  conflagration  presenting  a  sublime  and  impressive 
spectacle  to  the  gaze  of  our  men,  but  was  a  terrible  sight 
to  the  horrified  citizens. 

Upon  the  other  side  of  the  town,  the  rebels  had  made 
a  determined  stand.  Already  the  roar  of  camion  indica 
ted  that  another  battle  was  imminent.  Cavalrymen  were 
standing  by  the  side  of  the  road,  to  allow  the  infantry  to 
pass  by,  which  proved  that  they  had  been  unable  to  dis 
lodge  the  enemy.  Upon  the  left  of  the  village,  the  Sixth 
Corps  was  formed  in  line  of  battle,  and  the  Nineteenth 
was  arranged  in  the  same  formation  upon  the  right. 
When  everything  had  been  made  ready,  the  line  advanc 
ed.  Fording  a  deep  and  rapid  stream,  called  Mill  Creek, 
the  First  Brigade,  leading  the  advance,  swept  across  a 
wide  field,  entered  a  strip  of  timber,  and  emerging  upon 
the  other  side,  discovered  that  the  enemy  was  fleeing. 
Again  the  troops  moved  off  by  the  flank,  and  fording  the 
north  fork  of  the  Sheuandoah,  pushed  rapidly  after  the 
rebels,  who  were  now  in  full  view.  Upon  either  side  of 
the  pike,  the  two  Corps  were  marched  in  such  a  manner 
that  a  formation  for  battle  could  be  instantly  made. 
Skirmishers  and  light  batteries  were  sent  ahead,  who 


A*TD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  43 T 

immediately  opened  fire  on  the  enemy's  rear  guard. 
Onward  the  great  army  swept,  crowding  and  pressing 
the  retreating  foe. 

It  was  the  fortune  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
to  be  detailed  as  skirmishers  during  that  afternoon's 
chase,  and  the  men  really  enjoyed  the  sport.  The  gray 
backs  made  a  halt  behind  every  wall  and  fence,  but  our 
boys,  as  soon  as  they  had  exchanged  a  few  shots  with 
them,  to  learn  their  whereabouts,  ran  forward  on  a  charge,, 
upon  which  the  Johnnies  ludicrously  scampered  off  for 
another  line  of  defense. 

The  batteries  of  the  two  Corps  were  engaged  in  au 
amusing  rivalry  to  keep  ahead  of  each  other.  Galloping 
far  in  advance  of  the  skirmishers,  they  loaded,  fired^ 
limbered  up  and  moved  on  again,  with  surprising  celerity.. 

The  rebel  wagon  train  was  in  sight,  and  the  men  could 
hardly  be  restrained  from  rushing  ahead  and  capturing  it ; 
but  General  Sheridan's  orders  were  emphatic  not  to  drive 
the  enemy  too  fast,  for  the  cavalry  riding  up  the  adjacent 
valleys  would  be  unable  to  cut  off  his  retreat. 

In  such  an  exciting  manner  the  army  traversed  ten 
miles  of  an  undulating,  fenceless  country,  passing  a  little 
village  called  New  Market. 

At  sundown,  the  rebels  made  a  decided  stand  behind  & 
stone  wall.  As  it  was  growing  dark,  and  the  troops  were- 
extremely  weary  from  marching  and  fighting  seventeen 
miles,  the  pursuit  ceased  and  th^army  rested.  Our  men 
being  early  relieved  from  picket,  made  their  camp  in  the 
hollow  of  a  small  valley. 

During  the  whole  day's  skirmish,  but  two  men  in  the 
Regiment  were  wounded  ;  Loren  H.  Janes,  Company  C,, 
and  Edwin  J.  Sawtell,  Company  B. 

At  7  o'clock  of  the  25th,  the  army  was  put  in  motion,. 


438  KBCORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

The  rebels  had  left  during  the  night,  and  the  troops  found 
no  impediment  to  their  ouward  course.  After  a  fatiguing 
march  of  fifteen  miles,  over  a  high  rolling  country,  in  the 
evening  the  column  arrived  at  the  handsome  town  of 
Harrisonburgh.  About  half  a  mile  to  the  west  of  the 
village,  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  camped  upon  level 
pasture  fields.  War  had  committed  but  few  devastations 
in  this  section,  and  that  night  the  troops  found  abundance 
of  fence  fuel  and  forage. 

March  26th,  the  army  was  out  of  rations.  It  was  over 
one  hundred  miles  distant  from  a  base  of  supplies,  and  its 
rear  was  infested  with  guerrillas.  It  had  therefore  reach 
ed  the  fullest  limit  to  which  it  could  pursue  the  retreating 
rebels.  The  cavalry  Corps,  by  reason  of  its  greater 
mobility,  kept  on  with  the  chase  still  further  up  the 
valley,  until  it  arrived  at  the  impassable  barrier  of  Rock- 
fish  Gap,  when  it,  too,  was  compelled  to  retire. 

For  two  days  the  Regiment  lay  quietly  encamped  near 
Harrisonburgh,  sleeping,  foraging  and  strolling  over  the 
town.  This  place  is  the  capital  of  Rockingham  County, 
with  a  population  of  about  one  thousand  inhabitants, 
containing  four  or  five  churches,  an  academy,  and  sontf* 
tasteful  dwellings.  A  square  in  its  centre  is  occupied  by 
the  county  buildings,  and  a  splendid  public  fountain  of 
pure  running  water.  At  the  time  of  its  occupation  by 
our  army,  its  churches  and  public  edifices  were  filled  to 
overflowing  with  woundfed  rebels. 

On  the  evening  of  the  second  day,  the  Regiment  re 
ceived  orders  to  return  down  the  valley  as  a  guard  to  a. 
wagon  train.  This  duty,  seeing  it  was  devoid  of  peril 
and  extra  hardships,  was  bestowed  upon  the  Regiment  as 
a  kind  of  favor,  in  consideration  of  its  past  gallantry  and 
"heavy  losses.  But  the  boys  hardly  saw  it  in  that  light, 


AN1)  FOURTEENTH  REGIMEWT.  439 

and  expressed  a  decided  preference  to  any  hazardous  duty 
in  the  front,  rather  than  perform  the  labor  of  the  Invalid 
Corps  in  the  rear.  They  said  they  did  not  want  to  be 
looked  upon  as  "  dead-beats,"  or  "  condemned  Yankees.'" 
But  the  order  was  issued,  and  they  must  cheerfully  obey.. 
Accordingly,  at  5  o'clock  A.  M.  of  the  28th,  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth  bid  good-bye  to  the  army,  and 
started  off  alone  down  the  dusty  pike.  A  long  but 
empty  wagon  train  was  under  its  especial  protection. 
The  diminutive  Regiment  was  distributed  through  its 
length,  and  those  who  preferred  it  were  allowed  to  ride 
upon  these  jolting  vehicles.  Not  many  miles  had  been 
made  before  the  train  was  met  by  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Morse,  in  company  with  a  body  of  cavalry,  returning 
from  detached  service  at  New  Orleans.  He  immediately 
took  command  of  the  Regiment.  This  day  the  men  rode 
and  walked  twenty-five  miles,  to  near  Mount  Jackson. 

At  sunrise  of  the  29th,  the  train  moved  on,  passing 
during  the  day  the  villages  of  Mount  Jackson,  Edin 
burgh  and  Woodstock,  encamping  at  dark  but  a  little 
distance  from  Strasburg.  In  that  day's  journey,  parties 
of  guerrillas  hovered  around  the  train,  and  captured  a 
couple  of  our  men,  who  had  wandered  away  from  the 
road.  In  the  evening,, a  number  of  the  officers  paid  their 
respects  to  their  former  lady  acquaintances  in  the  village. 

Early  on  the  30th,  the  train  started  forth,  passing  succes 
sively  the  villages  of  Middletown,  Newtown  and  Kearns- 
town,  parking  at  4  r.  M.  upon  the  outskirts  of  Winches 
ter.  After  the  men  had  partaken  of  theirjsuppers,  many 
of  them  visited  the  town,  and  in  passing  around  among 
the  churches  and  hotels  converted  into  hospitals,  they 
found  most  of  their  comrades  Who  had  been  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  Opequan.  They  learned  to  their  sorrow 


440  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

that  numbers  of  them  had  gone  to  their  last  camping- 
ground — were  now  filling  hallowed  and  cherished  graves. 
Among  long  rows  of  iron  cots,  they  found  here  and  there 
a  suffering  friend,  to  whom  they  extended  the  hand  of 
sympathy,  and  cheered  with  kind  and  hopeful  words. 

October  1st,  the  journey  was  resumed.  Several  insig 
nificant  villages,  in  the  course  of  the  day,  were  passed,  the 
most  important  of  which  were  Bunker  Hill  and  Darks- 
ville.  After  dark,  they  arrived  at  Martinsburg,  the  depot 
of  supplies  for  the  army  of  the  Shenandoah,  and  bivouaced 
west  of  the  town,  among  the  camps  of  several  militia 
Regiments,  whose  occupants  were  very  much  astonished 
at  the  bold  and  deliberate  manner  in  which  our  men  ap 
propriated  fuel  and  pigs,  and  at  the  rapidity  with  which 
their  supper  was  prepared. 

For  three  days  the  Regiment  remained  in  the  vicinity 
of  Martinsburg,  awaiting  the  freighting  of  their  train. 
On  the  last  day  the  men  were  marching  through  the 
village  to  the  ruins  of  the  depot,  and  ordered  to  assist  in 
the  loading  of  oats  and  bread  upon  the  wagons.  In  the 
evening  some  of  the  men  obtained  passes  to  visit  the 
Sown, 

Martinsburg  is  the  capital  of  Berkley  County,  situated 
upon  the  Baltimore  and  Ohio  Railroad,  of  about  fifteen 
hundred  inhabitants,  and  bears  a  decayed  and  dingy  ap 
pearance.  It  has  suffered  heavily  from  the  war,  yet  its 
people  as  a  general  thing  were  thoroughly,  radically  loyal. 

At  daylight  of  October  5th,  the  supply  train  was  ready 
to  move  to  the  front,  and  the  men  were  soon  prepared  for 
their  long  tramp  up  the  valley.  Owing  to  obstacles  in  the 
way,  they  marched  but  Jjn  miles,  and  camped  at  8  p.  M. 
near  Bunker  Hill. 

On  the  6th,  they  made  fourteen  miles,  without  anything 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  441 

of  importance  occurring,  and  encamped  a  mile  beyond 
Winchester,  near  a  large  stone  flour-mill. 

On  the  7th,  their  monotonous  journey  over  an  oft-tram 
pled  road  was  continued  without  intermission  to  near 
Middletown,  when  their  lagging  spirits  were  revived  by 
the  sight  of  guerrillas  a  short  distance  ahead  of  the  train. 
The  Regiment  formed  a  line  of  battle  and  moved  toward 
them,  through  a  piece  of  wood,  but  the  rascals  fled  upon 
its  near  approach.  The  train  and  its  escort  again  moved 
on.  Crossing  Cedar  Creek,  and  when  almost  in  sight  of 
Strasburg,  they  met  another  train,  with  the  intelligence 
that  Sheridan's  army  was  falling  back,  and  was  already 
within  twelve  miles  of  that  town.  This  was  pleasant 
news  to  the  boys,  for  now  they  had  nothing  else  to  do 
than  to  pitch  their  tents  and  await  the  arrival  of  the 
troops. 

All  day  of  the  8th,  they  remained  in  camp  upon  the 
heights  near  Strasburg,  without  seeing  any  signs  of  the 
army.  It  was  reported  that  General  Sheridan  had  halted 
the  troops  on  Fisher's  Hill,  to  give  battle  to  the  enemy, 
who,  it  was  rumored,  was  closely  following  him. 

The  morning  of  the  9th  brought  the  booming  of  dis 
tant  cannon,  indicating  that  Sheridan  was  fighting  the 
second  battle  of  Fisher's  Hill.  In  this  engagement  he 
captured  eleven  pieces  of  artillery,  an  immense  number 
of  wagons  and  quantity  of  provisions,  and  sent  the  ene 
my  "  whirling  up  the  valley."  At  9  o'clock  the  Regiment 
was  ordered  to  break  camp,  and  move  with  the  train  sev 
eral  miles  to  the  rear.  Retracing  their  steps,  and  re- 
crossing  Cedar  Creek,  they  encamped  upon  an  elevation 
within  the  edge  of  a  forest. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  next  day,  the  army  was  seen 
approaching.  Soon  the  troops  were  spread  over  the  ad- 


442  lifiCORD  Otf  THB  OJtfB  HUJKDBBD 

jacent  fields,  like  a  swarm  of  locusts,  making  all  necessa 
ry  preparations  for  a  permanent  camp.  General  Sheridan, 
having  burned  all  the  grain  and  forage  in  the  Upper 
Shenandoah,  had  leisurely  fallen  back  far  enough  to  keep 
his  communications  safe,  and  was  establishing  a  line  of 
defense  which  should  hold  the  richest  and  most  fertile 
part  of  the  valley. 

For  such  a  position,  the  course  of  Cedar  Creek  present 
ed  rare  facilities.  Taking  its  rise  near  the  base  of  the 
North  Mountains,  it  flows  through  a  deep  gully  diago 
nally  across  the  valley,  and  pours  into  the  Shenandoah  at 
the  foot  of  the  Massanutten  Mountain.  Behind  the  bold 
bluffs  that  skirt  this  stream,  the  army  was  placed  in 
echelon.  On  the  right,  the  Sixth  Corps  was  stationed 
well  to  the  rear.  In  the  centre,  upon  the  pike,  the  Nine 
teenth  Corps  was  further  advanced ;  and  in  the  extreme 
front,  near  the  base  of  the  Massanutten,  the  Eighth  Corps 
was  upon  the  left.  Cavalry  guarded  the  flanks,  close  up 
to  the  North  Mountain,  as  well  as  the  narrow  opening  of 
the  Luray  valley.  The  position  was  rendered  doubly 
secure  by  the  construction  of  a  series  of  heavy  earth 
works. 

In  this  situation,  the  army,  after  the  severe  labors  of 
the  past  month,  settled  down  to  the  quiet  duties  of  camp 
life.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  for  some  time 
remained  detached,  and  in  its  old  camp  on  the  hill.  At 
length,  on  the  17th  of  October,  it  was  relieved  from  the 
irksome  duty  of  guarding  a  wagon  train,  and  ordered  to 
report  back  to  its  Brigade.  Marching  about  a  mile,  it 
wa»  assigned  to  an  exceedingly  rough,  thorny,  stony, 
(sideling  spot  of  ground,  for  a  camp. 

Although  the  rebel  army,  reinforced  and  re-supplied 
with  artillery,  had  come  back  to  Fisher's  Hill,  yet  the 


AJTO  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  443 

two  bitter  antagonists,  being  only  a  few  miles  removed, 
regarded  each  other  with  singular  apathy.  With  the 
exception  of  an  occasional  feeble  reconnoissance,  neither 
army  seemed  disposed  to  break  the  monotony  of  their 
inactivity.  General  Sheridan  took  advantage  of  thiB 
period  of  idleness,  to  make  a  short  visit  to  Washington. 

When,  on  the  evening  of  October  18th,  the  last  tap  of 
the  drum  had  ceased  to  call  the  men  to  sleep,  the  boys 
little  dreamed  that  the  oft-defeated  and  badly  whipped 
Early  could  possess  enough  elasticity  and  vitality  to 
assume  the  offensive  and  renew  the  contest. 


444  RECORD  OF  THE  OHB  Hl7NDJiKI> 


CHAPTER    XL  IV. 


Prepare  you,  Generals  ; 
The  enemy  comes  on  in  gallant  show  ; 
Their  bloody  sign  of  battle  is  hung  out, 
And  something  to  be  done  immediately. 
JULIUS 


•Tis  three  o'clock  ;  and,  Romans,  yet  ere  night, 
We  shall  try  fortune  in  a  second  fight. 

IBID. 

Lost,  and  recover'd  in  a  day  again  ! 
Yet,  heavens  have  glory  for  this  victory  1 

KING  HKNBY  VI. 


The  boom  of  cannon,  the  terrific  rattle  of  musketry, 
and  a  rebel  battle  yell,  simultaneously  broke  upon  the 
ears  of  the  drowsy  men,  and  suddenly  aroused  them  from 
deep  slumber.  Rubbing  their  sleepy  eyes,  they  jumped 
up,  and  rushing  out  of  their  tents  into  the  darkness  of  a 
foggy  morning,  soon  collected  their  scattered  faculties 
enough  to  perceive  that  the  enemy  had  attacked  them 
with  great  vigor.  It  seemed  almost  beyond  the  range  of 
comprehension,  that  the  lately  vanquished  rebels  would 
dare  to  fall  upon  them  in  their  strong  position.  Yet  the 
incredulous  men  could  not  dispute  the  evidence  of  their 
senses,  in  hearing  the  appalling  tumult  of  battle  that 
came  roaring  across  the  fields  from  the  direction  of  the 
Eighth  Corps,  upon  the  left  flank. 

A  dim,  rose-colored  haze,  glistening  through  a  misty 
air,  announced  the  breaking  of  the  bloody  day  of  the  19th 
of  October,  Immediately  the  long  roll  sounded  in  all 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT!'.  445 

the  camps,  and  called  the  troops  to  arms.  The  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  formed  a  line  of  battle  before 
their  camp,  and  awaited  orders.  Already  bullets  were 
whistling  over  the  knoll  in  front  of  the  Regiment,  and 
the  half-awakened  men  were  more  thoroughly  aroused  by 
observing  that  the  rebel  screams  were  drawing  nearer 
and  nearer. 

Among  events  that  were  becoming  every  moment  more 
and  more  exciting  and  bewildering,  a  great  crowd  of 
fugitives  was  indistinctly  seen  in  the  morning  fog,  ap 
proaching  and  rushing  headlong  down  the  hollow  to  the 
rear  of  the  Regiment.  In  another  moment  an  order  came 
by  a  staif  officer,  for  the  Regiment  to  move  out  in  line 
upon  the  summit  of  a  hill  in  front  of  its  camp.  No 
sooner  was  the  movement  executed,  than  the  men  found 
themselves  in  the  same  discouraging  situation  they  had 
experienced  in  nearly  all  their  previous  battles — being 
compelled  to  struggle  against  a  torrent  of  panic-stricken 
fugitives. 

The  awful  conviction  came  to  the  mind  in  a  moment, 
that  the  Eighth  Corps,  so  gallant  in  all  its  former 
engagements,  had  been  entirely  and  instantly  changed 
into  a  disorganized  mass  of  stragglers.  So  suddenly  and 
silently  did  the  enemy  rush  upon  their  camp,  that  many 
were  unable  to  arm  or  dress  themselves,  before  they  were 
.compelled  to  seek  safety  by  flight.  They  came  running 
to  the  rear  without  hats,  coats,  or  even  pants. 

One  gaze  upon  this  dejecting  spectacle  satisfied  our 
men  that  they  were  to  endure  a  trial  more  fiery  than  any 
they  had  ever  experienced — were  again  called  upon  to 
bear  the  heaviest  brunt  of  battle.  Already  shells  and 
bullets  were  banging  and  humming  about  their  ears,  but 
they  could  not  discern  any  rebels,  by  reason  of  the  den- 


446  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

sity  of  the  fog.  A  few  moments  of  intense  anxiety  en 
sued,  when  the  gray-backs  appeared  in  sight,  dashing 
impetuously  towards  the  Regiment.  A  withering  volley 
greeted  them,  and  seemed  to  stagger  them.  With  mar 
velous  rapidity  and  precision  the  men  loaded  and  fired, 
in  the  doubtful  hope  that  they  would  be  able  to  check 
the  enemy's  advance.  But,  although  they  made  despe 
rate  and  heroic  efforts,  they  soon  felt  that  they  were  too 
few  in  numbers  to  cope  against  the  hordes  of  rebels  who 
were  swarming  all  around  their  front  and  flanks.  Yet, 
not  tolerating  the  thought  of  hazarding  the  salvation  of 
the  army  by  retreating,  they  stubbornly  held  their  line 
against  most  fearful  odds,  and  amid  most  frightful 
carnage. 

Among  all  who  offered  up  their  lives  on  that  dreadful 
hill  of  slaughter,  there  was  one  more  especially  beloved 
and  honored.  Captain  Knowlton,  an  officer  eminently 
distinguished  as  a  brave,  genial,  honorable  and  accom 
plished  soldier  and  comrade,  was  instantly  killed  in  the 
foremost  of  the  fight,  loading  and  firing  among  his  men. 
His  loss  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was  irrepara 
ble  ;  his  life  was  necessary  to  complete  the  proud  record 
of  the  Regiment ;  his  popularity  was  such,  that  a  chill 
struck  the  heart  of  every  man  who  saw  his  handsome 
form  breathless  and  bleeding  on  the  crimsoned  ground. 

In  a  few  moments  the  contest  on  the  hill  became  abso 
lutely  hopeless.  Already  rebels  were  within  a  few  rods 

of  the  flanks,  shouting, "  Surrender  !  you  sons  of  b s  !  " 

Another  minute  of  ineffectual  slaughter  ensued,  and  then 
the  shattered  Regiment  was  forced  to  retreat.  A  short 
distance  back  was  another  knoll,  and  there  the  Brigade 
line  was  formed.  Again  the  exasperated  men  struggled 
to  hold  their  ground,  but  the  effort  was  only  momentary, 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  447 

for  rebels  were  on  their  flanks,  rebels  were  in  their  rear, 
still  hoarsely  yelling,  "  Surrender  !  you  d — d  Yankees  !  " 
rebels  were  pouring  in  an  irresistible  torrent  against  their 
front.  Once  more  the  Brigade  fell  back  some  quarter  of 
a  mile,  and  established  another  line  in  connection  with 
the  Sixth  Corps. 

There  seemed  to  be  now  some  faint  hopes  that  the  day 
could  be  saved,  for  at  this  time  all  the  available  troops 
were  united,  and  they  were  no  longer  compelled  to  fight 
by  small  detachments.  An  obstinate  resistance  was  now 
made,  but  it  proved  of  no  avail,  for  the  rebels  were  still 
breaking  away  the  left  flank.  The  time  came  when  the 
Army  of  the  Shenandoah,  lately  triumphant  in  victory, 
was  in  danger  of  annihilation,  and  was  compelled  to 
retire,  humiliated  by  an  undeniable  defeat.  Again  and 
again  the  noble  army  halted  and  faced  the  enemy,  at 
tempting,  in  the  last  extremity,  to  reclaim  the  disasters 
of  the  day.  Again  and  again  the  rebels  persistently 
broke  to  pieces  or  doubled  up  the  left  flank.  It  seemed 
as  though  our  troops  could  never  wrench  themselves  away 
from  the  impending  perils  of  that  everlasting  flank  move 
ment. 

Four  miles  of  an  inglorious  retreat  had  been  passed,  irf" 
which  every  hill,  wall  and  grove  had  been  contested  be 
fore  relinquished,  when  at  last  the  army  had  uncovered 
its  flanks.  The  incessant  rattling  of  musketry  ceased, 
and  the  battle  was  only  protracted  by  a  little  long-range 
artillery  firing. 

Now  that  the  crisis  was  over,  General  Wright,  com 
manding  the  army,  gave  the  order  to  take  up  a  regular 
line  of  retreat.  It  was  a  humiliating  alternative,  but 
what  else  could  be  done  ?  The  army  was  wofully  shat 
tered.  The  Eighth  Corps  had  become  entirely  disorgan- 


448  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

ized,  and  was  already  straggling  miles  in  the  rear.  What 
was  left  of  the  Sixth  and  Nineteenth,  were  in  no  condi 
tion  to  assume  the  offensive.  Twenty-four  cannon  had 
"been  lost ;  over  two  thousand  prisoners  captured  ;  all  the 
camps  and  earthworks  had  been  occupied;  wagons,  am 
bulances,  camp  equipage  and  army  material  were  all  gone. 
So  great  a  calamity  had  never  before  befallen  the  Union 
arms. 

Breaking  to  the  rear  by  Regiments,  the  army  started 
forth  for  a  long  march  down  the  valley.  Gloomily  our 
men  tramped  across  the  fields,  depressed  in  spirits,  languid 
in  body,  hungry  and  thirsty.  They  feared  that  their 
former  victories  had  all  been  rendered  profitless  by  this 
one  miserable  defeat.  They  reflected  with  what  a  crush 
ing  weight  the  news  of  this  battle  must  fall  upon  the 
North,  and  they  trembled  for  the  Union  cause.  They 
were  anxious  to  reach  the  Potomac  in  safety,  and  hoped 
to  be  able  to  check  a  Northern  invasion.  They  expressed 
their  regrets  a  thousand  times,  that  General  Sheridan  had 
not  been  with  them. 

Amid  such  sad  reflections,  there  seemed  to  be  an  unac 
countable  disturbance  among  the  troops  near  the  pike. 
Staff  officers  and  orderlies  were  galloping  over  the  fields 
in  headlong  haste.  Yankee  cheers  were  heard  in  the  dis 
tance.  While  wondering  what  all  the  commotion  meant, 
a  staff  officer  rode  up  to  Colonel  Davis,  (who  was  com 
manding  the  First  Brigade,  in  the  absence  of  General 
Beal,)  and  gave  the  following  thrilling  order  :  "  General 
Sheridan  has  arrived  on  the  field,  and  says  he  shall  stop 
this  retreat.  The  General  directs  that  you  halt  where 
you  are,  face  about,  form  a  line,  and  advance  to  the  posi 
tion  you  last  occupied,  in  yonder  wood." 

In  a  few  moments  the  men  were  performing  the  novel 


AND  ft'OUHTBIGHTU  IlEGIMENT.  449 

movement  of  advancing  towards  the  enemy.  Such  a 
queer  turn  to  events  called  forth  many  amusing  remarks. 
Said  one  man : 

u  If  the  General  only  knew  how  awfully  we've  been 
whipped,  he  wouldn't  try  another  fight  just  now." 

u  Oh  !  well ! "  said  another,  "-Phil,  understands  him 
self,  lie  can  put  a  different  tune  to  this,  if  any  man  can." 

"  Oh  !  won't  it  be  gay,"  chimes  in  another,  "  if  we  only 
flax  the  rebs  after  all  their  fuss  this  morning ! " 

Without  meeting  any  resistance,  the  troops  occupied  a 
strip  of  timber.  Here  a  halt  was  made,  and  active  prep 
arations  were  put  on  foot  for  a  determined  advance  and 
attack.  In  a  few  moments  the  men  had  thrown  together 
a  low,  rough  breastwork  of  stones,  logs  and  rails,  had 
filled  their  boxes  with  fresh  ammunition,  and  felt  ready 
for  their  next  orders.  The  loud  cheers  that  had  been 
heard  all  the  while  toward  the  left  came  nearer  and 
nearer,  until  finally  General  Sheridan  came  in  view,  amid 
the  lights  and  shadows  of  the  forest. 

The  sight  of  that  little  man  instantly  inspired  confi 
dence  in  the  men,  and  threw  them  into  a  perfect  frenzy  of 
enthusiasm.  The  men  jumped  up,  flung  their  caps  into 
the  air,  and  cheered  with  deafening  vehemence.  The 
rebels  heard  the  shout,  and  thought  the  Federals  had  re 
ceived  a  reinforcement. 

They  were  right ;  a  powerful  reinforcement  had  ar 
rived,  but  it  was  only  one  man.  He  rode  rapidly 
along  in  front  of  the  Regiment,  his  great  black  horse 
white  with  foam,  his  face  beaming  with  smiles,  his  black 
eyes  glistening  with  intense  meaning,  his  gauntleted 
hands  making  nervous  gestures,  and  all  the  while  he  was 
talking  to  the  men,  in  an  easy,  animated  manner. 

"  Boys,"  he  said,  "  I  am  glad  to  see  you  looking  go 
well."  "  I  tell  you  this  thing  would  never  have  happened 


450  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

if  I  had  been  here  this  morning."  "  We're  going  to  get 
the  tightest  twist  on  those  rascals  you  ever  saw."  "  We're 
going  to  whip  them  out  of  their  hoots."  "We're  going- 
back  to  take  supper  in  our  old  camps."  "  Our  cannon 
will  all  be  taken  back  this  evening."  "  They'll  be  the 
sickest  lot  of  devils  you  ever  saw,  before  they  get  out  of 
this  scrape." 

The  General  devoted  a  long  time  to  the  study  of  the 
position  and  the  formation  of  the  army.  The  sun  passed 
over  their  heads,  and  the  afternoon  was  wearing  away, 
while  the  men  were  anxiously  waiting,  and  the  enemy, 
apparently  contented  with  his  morning's  victory,  was 
quiet  and  reserved. 

Near  2  o'clock,  the  skirmishers  commenced  to  fire 
rapidly,  and  hurry  back  upon  the  lines.  The  enemy  was 
now  advancing.  The  men  laid  down  behind  their  little 
defense,  leveled  their  guns,  and,  in  the  midst  of  a  pro 
found  silence,  awaited  the  appearance  of  the  rebels. 
Soon  their  long  gray  line  suddenly  entered  the  shade  of 
the  forest,  when  a  stunning,  deafening  volley  instantly 
burst  forth  from  the  ground,  almost  in  their  faces.  When 
the  blue  column  of  smoke  cleared  away,  the  rebels  were 
gone.  This  little  success,  as  a  prelude  to  more  important 
events,  gave  courage  to  the  men. 

About  3  o'clock,  an  order  came  for  the  entire  line  to 
advance.  The  critical  and  momentous  hour  had  now 
arrived  in  which  the  safety  and  honor  of  the  army,  the 
question  of  Northern  invasion  with  all  its  horrors  and  de 
vastation,  and  perhaps  the  fate  of  the  rebellion,  was  to  be 
decided.  As  the  men  jumped  up  and  marched  in  breath 
less  silence  through  the  autumnal  forest,  they  felt  that 
glory  or  defeat,  the  salvation  or  ruin  of  the  country,  de 
pended  upon  the  issues  of  that  moment. 

In  a  few  minutes  they  came  to  the  edge  of  the  wood. 


FODRTKE>VTH  REGIMKST.  451 

Then  a  deep  roar  broke  upon  the  summer  stillness,  in 
which  the  very  skies  seemed  to  quake.  Then  an  over 
powering  torrent  of  shells,  grape  and  bullets  tore  through 
the  devoted  ranks,  with  murderous  effect,  followed  by  a 
stifling,  acrid  cloud  of  smoke,  which  hovered  over  the 
assailants,  and  dimmed  the  horrid  sight.  A  gentle  slope 
lay  before  the  Regiment,  on  the  summit  of  which,  but  a 
short  distance  off,  the  rebels  were  concealed  behind  a 
stone  wall. 

So  sudden  and  terrible  was  the  onset,  that  the  line  at 
once  became  completely  paralyzed,  and  was  brought  to  a 
dead  halt.  Colonel  Davis  galloped  in  front  of  the  Brigade, 
and  waving  his  sword  in  a  dramatic  manner,  shouted, 
"  Double  quick— CHARGE  ! "  "  Charge  !  "  "  Charge  ! " 
was  screamed  along  the  lines,  when  a  wild,  passionate 
yell  arose  over  the  din  of  conflict,  and  the  men  leaped 
forward  into  a  sharp  run : 

"  A  tier}-  mass 
Of  living  rftlor  rolling  on  the  foe  !" 

They  had  but  a  short  distance  to  go,  but  every  inch  of  it 
was  a  bloody  one.  Scores  upon  scores  dropped  from  the 
ranks  in  that  sanguinary  charge.  There  were  more  lying 
upon  the  ground  than  there  were  survivors  running  ahead. 

Two  officers  of  the  Regiment,  and  among  the  best,  fell 
mortally  wounded.  Lieutenants  Burch  and  Lewis  were 
both  young  men  of  bright  promise,  and  had  acquired 
enviable  reputations  among  their  men.  In  the  excitement 
of  the  moment,  the  boys  consoled  themselves  with  the 
hope  that  their  wounds  were  not  mortal.  But  after  a 
season  of  patient  suffering,  they  gently  yielded  up  their 
lives  to  the  cause  of  American  Liberty. 

"  My  God  ! "  said  Colonel  Davis,  "  it  is  all  over  with 


452  KKCORT)  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

us.  No  mortal  man  can  ever  clear  that  field.'"  It  was  a 
false  prediction.  Nearer  and  nearer  they  approached  to 
the  stone  wall,  which  the  rebels  wrere  holding  with  tena 
cious  obstinacy.  Now  their  bayonets  leaped  from  their 
scabbards,  glistened  a  moment  in  the  air,  and  then  over 
the  fence  they  poured  in  a  tumultuous  stream,  while  the 
rebels  scattered  and  fled  in  perfect  dismay..  A  triumphant 
cheer  proclaimed  the  turning  point  in  the  battle  of _ Cedar 
Creek.  From  thenceforth,  there  was  nothing  but  a  suc 
cession  of  glorious  achievements.  A  halt  was  ordered, 
for  the  purpose  of  re-forming  the  broken  lines. 

General  Sheridan  again  rode  in  front  of  the  Brigade, 
and  again  was  welcomed  with  joyous  shouts.  He  said  : 
"You  are  doing  splendidly,  but  don't  be  in  too  much 
haste."  "  Now  lie  down  right  where  you  are,  and  wait 
until  you  see  General  Custer  come  down  over  those  hills, 
and  then  "  (here  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  he  raised 
himself  in  his  stirrups,  and  made  an  impulsive  gesture  with 
both  hands,)  "  by  G — d,  I  want  you  to  push  the  rebels  ! " 

Presently  a  great  cloud  of  cavalry  was  seen  flying 
across  the  fields  to  the  left.  In  an  instant  up  rose  the 
men,  and  after  the  Brigade  line  had  been  slightly  altered, 
they  gave  another  hearty,  inspiring  cheer,  and  rushed 
forward  on  another  impulsive  charge.  This  time  the 
rebels  offered  scarcely  any  resistance,  but  at  the  first  on 
set  broke  and  ran  like  a  herd  of  stampeding  cattle.  From 
that  moment  all  organization  in  either  army  was  entirely 
lost.  Among  our  men,  those  who  had  the  longest  wind 
and  the  strongest  legs  were  soon  far  ahead  of  their  com 
rades,  in  this  exciting  and  exhilarating  chase.  Yet  all 
moved  along  in  the  current,  as  fast  as  they  could,  and 
every  heart  pulsated  with  intense  delight.  Mounting  some 
elevated  spot  before  them,  they  observed  in  the  valley  a 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KKGIMENT.  453 

spectacle  that  caused  them  to  laugh  and  scream  with  joy. 
They  saw  thousands  of  rebels  indiscriminately  mingled 
together,  wearily  jogging  along,  exhibiting  nothing  but 
their  butternut-colored  backs,  hurling  away  their  guns 
and  knapsacks  in  their  fright,  their  courage  all  oozing  out 
at  the  ends  of  their  toes,  and  not  daring  even  to  turn 
around  and  respond  to  the  fire  of  the  boys.  At  times 
our  men  approached  so  near  to  the  flying  mob,  that"  they 
could  tantalize  the  poor  fugitives  with  shouts  like  these  : 

"  Ah !  Johnny  Reb,  we'll  learn  you  to  take  a  joke." 

;<  Say,  you  Jeff.  Davis'  pimps,  how  do  you  like  our 
style?" 

"  You  are  looking  after  the  last  ditch,  ain't  ye  ?  " 

"  Get  out  of  the  way !  the  mudsills  are  coming  !  " 

In  derision  of  the  morning  fight,  they  were  constantly 

adding  this  expression  :  "  Surrender,  you  d d  rebels  !  " 

i(  Surrender  you  sons  of  b s  ! " 

On  the  other  hand,  they  were  no  less  delighted  in  hear 
ing  the  shouts  that  proceeded  from  the  rebel  crowd. 

"  Run,  boys,  run  !  "  their  officers  screamed.  "  The 
Yankee  cavalry  are  right  on  to  us  !  " 

"  Great  God  !  we're  flanked  ;  now  every  man  for  him 
self!" 

Hundreds  of  miserable,  panting,  terror-stricken  rebels 
were  overtaken  and  captured,  until  the  fields  behind  the 
army  were  dotted  over  with  scattered  squads  of  prisoners. 
Their  usual  remarks  to  their  captors  were,  "  Well,  I  sup 
pose  you  have  run  me  down."  "It  seems  to  me  you  'ns 
fight  better  this  summer  than  you  ever  did  before." 

In  this  manner  four  miles  were  traversed  ;  and  although 
the  men  had  eaten  nothing  during  the  day — although 
they  were  trembling  and  staggering  under  their  excessive 
fatigue,  were  perspiring  under  a  torrid  sun,  were  gasping,. 


454  RECORD  OF  THE  ONK  HUNDRED 

with   their  tongues   rolled   out   of   their   mouths — they 
avowed  they  would  "follow  the  cusses  to  Richmond.'7 

They  were  now  drawing  near  their  old  camp  grounds, 
where  Sheridan's  prediction  was  to  be  fulfilled.  As  they 
passed  over  the  battle-field  of  the  morning,  hundreds  of 
wounded  comrades  raised  themselves  upon  their  elbows, 
and  joined  their  hoarse  voices  to  the  glad  shout  of  victory. 
At  longth  they  planted  the  colors  upon  the  breastworks 
of  Cedar  Creek.  Halting  upon  the  high  bluff  that  over 
looked  the  plains  in  front,  they  witnessed  a  magnificent 
cavalry  charge  by  General  Custar,  and  eventually  saw 
rebels  and  horsemen  disappear  in  a  confused,  struggling 
mass,  behind  the  hills  of  Strasburg.  This  grand  and  in 
spiring  spectacle  was  a  fit  termination  to  the  glorious 
events  of  the  day.  As  the  sun  threw  his  last  rays  into  the 
valley  of  the  Shenandoah,  a  single  battery  roared  forth  a 
parting  salute  to  the  fugitive  enemy ;  and  as  darkness 
came  on,  all  became  hushed  to  a  profound  and  refreshing 
stillness. 

The  men  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  had 
fought  their  last  battle.  At  this  singularly  inopportune 
moment,  when  the  victory  was  completed,  and  the  last 
gun  discharged,  a  noble  soldier  fell.  Lieutenant  Thurber 
was  struck  by  a  grape  shot  fired  from  one  of  our  cannon. 
The  last  offering  that  the  Regiment  laid  upon  the  battle 
altar  of  freedom,  was  among  its  dearest  and  best.  After 
«ight  days  of  uncomplaining  suffering,  he  slept  in  peace, 
lamented  by  all  who  knew  him. 

As  the  men  stood  by  the  breastworks,  an  order  came 
for  the  troops  to  move  to  their  old  camp,  and  bivouac. 
Scarcely  had  they  built  their  fires,  and  ranged  themselves 
them,  to  chat  over  the  thrilling  and  glorious  events 
the  day,  when  another  order  came  in  words  like  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  BEGIMENT. 

following:  " Information  has  come  from  the  front  that 
the  cavalry  are  capturing  more  prisoners  and  cannon  than 
they  can  possibly  take  care  of.  The  First  Brigade  is 
therefore  ordered  to  march  immediately  after  the  cavalry." 
Hungry  and  weary,  they  joyfully  seized  their  muskets 
and  started  forth  for  a  night's  march,  feeling  grateful  that 
they  were  permitted  to  participate  in  the  still  greater 
enjoyments  of  victory.  Crossing  Cedar  Creek,  they  soon 
came  upon  the  track  of  the  cavalry  charge.  The  road, 
and  even  the  adjoining  fields,  were  filled  with  cannon, 
caissons,  wagons,  niules,  horses,  ambulances,  and  squads 
of  prisoners,  all  mingled  together  in  a  state  of  inextrica 
ble  confusion.  The  farther  they  advanced,  the  more 
astonishing  and  bewildering  were  the  sights.  Whole  bat 
teries  were  found  standing  in  the  pike,  the  horses  all 
harnessed  and  ready  to  move  at  the  word,  but  the  drivers 
and  cannoneers  had  fled.  Ambulances,  filled  with 
wounded,  had  become  jammed  and  locked  together,  and 
were  abandoned.  Wagons  were  overturned  in  the  gut 
ters,  scattering  their  contents  in  every  direction.  The 
men  stumbled  over  great  piles  of  debris,  or  walked  around 
innumerable  heaps  of  dead  horses  and  men.  At  times  a 
single  cavalryman  was  found  guarding  a  cluster  of 
prisoners. 

The  amount  of  material  captured  from  the  enemy  at 
Cedar  Creek  was  incredible,  and  it  is  likely  that  its  full 
value  has  never  been  computed.  It  is  sufficient  to  say 
that  the  enemy  lost  nearly  all  his  artillery,  besides  every 
piece  that  had  been  taken  from  us  in  the  morning.  Tents,, 
baggage,  supplies  and  camp  equipage,  were  nearly  all 
recovered ;  in  addition  to  which  were  two  hundred  rebel 
wagons  and  ambulances,  with  their  mules  and  horses^, 
fifteen  battle  flags,  and  over  two  thousand  prisoners,. 


456  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

When  near  the  village  of  Strasburg,  the  Brigade 
bivouaced  upon  a  hill.  .  No  fires  were  permitted;  so  the 
men  sought  for  places  to  lie,  rolled  themselves  in  their 
blankets,  and  overcome  with  their  superhuman  exertions, 
were  soon  fast  asleep. 

The  battle  of  Cedar  Creek  was,  probably,  the  most 
singular  contest  of  the  whole  war.  It  was  a  great  defeat- 
in  the  morning,  but  in  the  evening  it  was  a  greater  vie. 
tory.  A  change  in  the  issues  of  the  battle  so  completely 
astonishing,  was  effected  without  reinforcements ;  in  fact, 
the  victory  was  achieved  by  about  half  the  number  of 
men  that  were  surprised  and  repulsed  early  in  the  day. 
The  only  difference  between  the  two  engagements  was, 
that  in  the  morning  the  army  was  commanded  by  a  weak 
and  inexperienced  General — in  the  afternoon,  the  brilliant 
and  accomplished  Sheridan  turned  the  fortunes  of  the  day. 
To  General  Sheridan  justly  belongs  the  honor  of  gaining 
so  signal  a  success. 

The  list  of  casualties  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth,  on  the  19th  of  October,  is  the  best  commentary 
upon  the  heroism  of  a  Regiment  already  distinguished. 
It  lost  one  hundred  and  twenty-eight  men,  in  killed, 
wounded,  and  taken  prisoners,  being  full  half  it  took  into 
the  engagement.  As  at  Winchester,  Port  Hudson,  and 
other  places,  the  bravest  and  best  were  offered  up,  so  the 
battle  of  Cedar  Creek  formed  no  exception.  The  victory 
of  that  day  required  the  choicest  blood — the  costliest 
sacrifices. 

In  this  long  roll  of  honor,  in  addition  to  those  already 
named,  we  would  particularly  mention  the  names  of  Ser 
geants  Washburne  and  Skinner,  Privates  Smith,  Decker 
and  Havens,  Gaffeney,  Sill  and  Avery,  of  Company  A.  The 
last  three  were  recruits,  having  been  with  the  Company 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  457 

but  a  few  clays.  We  may  mention,  also,  with  a  soldier's 
pride,  Sergeant  Chamberlain,  Corporals  Wood  and  Sisson, 
and  Privates  Jones  and  Woodmansee,  of  Company  C. 
This  last  named  soldier  seized  the  colors  when  Lieutenant 
Breed  was  struck  down,  on  the  19th  of  September,  and 
carried  them  to  the  day  he  fell.  That  morning,  after  the 
surprise,  he  went  out  in  advance  of  the  Regiment,  and 
planted  the  flag,  and  was  shot  down  with  the  staff  in  his 
hand.  We  cannot  forget  the  gifted  Alfred  A.  Morse,  .a 
recruit,  and  Corporal  William  J.  Spicer,  of  Company  D  ; 
Sergeant  Johnson  and  Private  Fuller,  of  Company  E ; 
Sergeants  Wakeley  and  Utley,  Corporal  Lewis  E.  Tew, 
nud  Privates  Dunham  and  Gritman,  of  Company  F  ;  Ser 
geant  Henry  D.  Mason,  Corporal  Charles  F.  Green,  and 
Private  Angus  S.  Arnold,  of  Company  II ;  Privates  Palmer, 
Rhodes  and  James  McKee,  of  Company  I ;  Private  Edwin 
R.  Combs,  of  Company  K. 

Among  the  prisoners,  and  the  number  was  not  large, 
two  officers  were  taken  captives.  Captain  Underbill,  after 
a  long  confinement  in  Libby  and  Salisbury  prisons,  was 
finally  exchanged,  and  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  again 
performing  duty  with  his  Company  before  its  muster-out. 
Lieutenant  Thompson  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the 
rebel  guard  in  the  neighborhood  of  Woodstock,  and  af 
ter  several  weeks  of  thrilling  adventures,  hair-breadth- 
escapes,  and  extraordinary  hardships,  be  arrived  within 
the  Union  lines,  and  was  joyfully  welcomed  by  his  com 
rades.  The  others  taken  prisoners,  sooner  or  later,  were 
mostly  exchanged,  some  only  to  die  under  the  flag  of 
their  country.  A  few — one  or  two,  at  least — did  not 
come  back,  but  pined  away  in  the  wretched  and  loathsome 
cells  of  a  dungeon,  famishing  of  cold,  and  nakedness,  and 
hunger. 


458  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  BUBDRBD 

The  following  complimentary  dispatch  from  the  Presi 
dent  must  close  the  account  of  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek : 

EXECUTIVE  MANSION,  WASHINGTON,  October  22. 
To  Major  General  Sheridan : 

With  great  pleasure  I  tender  to  you  and  your  brave  army,  the 
thanks  of  the  nation,  and  my  own  personal  admiration  and  gratitude, 
for  the  month's  operations  in  the  Shenandoah  Valley,  and  especially 
for  the  splendid  work  of  October  19th. 

Your  obedient  servant, 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 


AJND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  459 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

The  day  begins  to  break,  and  night  is  fled, 
•     Whoso  pitchy  mantle  over-veil'd  the  earth. 
Here  sound  retreat,  and  cease  our  hot  pursuit. 

KIHG  HKKBY  VL 

Refreshed  with  sleep,  the  men  awoke  on  the  morning 
of  October  20th,  to  be  invigorated  by  the  balmy  air  of 
an  autumn  day,  animated  by  the  proud  recollections  of 
yesterday's  achievements,  and  strengthened  by  a  warm 
breakfast.  Upon  the  hill  north  of  the  village  of  Stras- 
burg  they  rested  during  the  forenoon,  while  other  troops 
were  collecting  and  carrying  away  the  prodigious  pro 
ceeds  of  Early's  rout. 

In  the  afternoon  they  fell  back  about  a  mile,  and  camped 
in'  a  beautiful  grove.  They  remained  here  but  one  night, 
and  early  on  the  21st  they  marched  over  Cedar  Creek, 
and  then  all  the  troops  of  the  army  were  camped  upon 
the  identical  grounds  from  which  the  rebels  had  so 
\mceremoniously  driven  them  before  daylight  of  the 
19th.  Upon  the  same  familiar  spot  where  our  men  had 
so  often  drilled  and  paraded,  they  pitched  their  shelters, 
and  made  the  most  elaborate  preparations  for  an  extended 
stay. 

Among  the  first  things  that  duty  and  affection  prompted 
them  to  do,  was  to  collect  the  bodies  of  their  dead  com 
rades,  and  tenderly  bury  them  in  a  row  upon  a  beautiful 
grass  plot,  marking  each  grave  with  an  inscribed  board. 

From  this  time  ensued  a  long  period  of  inactivity  and 
idleness.  While  the  armies  in  other  parts  of  the  United 


460  RECORD  OP  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

States  were  engaging  in  the  Most  stupendous  campaigns 
of  the  war,  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  henceforth  was 
but  a  silent  spectator  in  the  closing  scenes  of  the  great 
drama  of  rebellion.  Its  labors  were  completed  at  the 
battle  of  Cedar  Creek,  for  after  that  contest  the  enemy 
was  perfectly  content  to  seek  no  longer  for  the  occupation 
of  the  valley. 

Parades  and  reviews  were  about  the  only  events  which 
served  to  break  upon  the  monotonous  routine  of  camp 
duties.  At  the  evening  dress  parade  of  October  22d,  an 
order  was  read,  which  being  the  only  one  of  the  kind 
ever  issued  from  the  Regimental  Headquarters,  possesses 
deep  significance  as  a  recognition  of  undoubted  gallantry. 
Its  importance  compels  us  to  publish  it  entire  : 

HEADQUARTERS  114iH  REGIMENT  N.  Y.  VOLUNTEERS,  / 
MIDDLKTOWX,  Va.t  Oct.  23,  1864.  f 


GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  80. 

The  Lieutenant  Colonel  Commanding  takes  pleasure  in  announcing 
to  the  men  of  his  command,  his  entire  approval  of  their  conduct  during 
the  late  engagement  of  Cedar  Run,  on  the  19th  instant.  The  Regi 
ment  was  among  the  first  engaged,  and  was  foremost  in  the  final  charge 
that  cleared  the  works  that  had  been  gained  by  the  enemy  in  his  first 
attack. 

The  following  promotions  for  meritorious  conduct  on  that  day,  are 
hereby  announced,  and  will  rank  from  this  date: 

COMPAMY  A.  —  Fourth  Sergeant  Elijah  Snell,  to  be  First  Sergeant 
vice  Joseph  G.  Washburne,  killed  ;  Third  Sergeant  Charles  W.  Slawson 
to  be  Second  Sergeant  vice  Samuel  A.  Delevan,  discharged  ;  private 
Elmore  Sharp  to  be  Second  Sergeant  vice  William  W.  Slawson  pro- 
mo  ted. 

COMPANY  F.  —  Private  William  C.  Potter,  to  be  Corporal  vice  Lewis 
E.  Tew,  killed. 

COMPANY  G.  —  Private  William  Potter  to  be  Corporal  and  Lance 
Sergeant. 


AJTD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  461 

COMPANY  H. — Private  Alonzo  B.  Merchant,  to  be  Sergeant. 

COMPANY  I. — Private  Earnest  Johnson,  to  be  Corporal. 

COMPANY  K. — Corporal  Sylvanus  D.  House,  to  be  Lance  Sergeant. 

Honorable  mention  is  also  made  of  Sergeant  John  C.  Stoughton, 
Company  E,  and  private  Stephen  Barber,  of  Company  K,  for  gallant 
conduct  during  the  battle.  The  Lieutenant  Colonel  wishes  it  to  be  un 
derstood  that  these  men  have  fairly  earned  their  promotion  by  cour 
age  and  steadiness  on  the  field  of  battle,  and  would  hold  them  up  as 
an  example  to  the  enlisted  men  of  the  Regiment. 

While  we  rejoice  at  our  great  victory  gained,  we  are  called  to  mourn 
the  loss  of  many  of  our  gallant  comrades  who  fell  while  pressing  for 
ward  in  the  cause  of  their  country.  The  memory  of  such  heroes  as 
Knowlton,  Burch  and  Thurber,  and  a  host  of  others,  will  always  be 
green  in  our  heart. 

By  command  of 

LIEUTENANT  COLONEL  MORSE. 
C.  L.  BROWN,  Acting  Adjutant. 

A  large  quantity  of  Regimental  baggage,  which  had 
been  stored  in  New  Orleans,  arrived  about  this  time,  and 
as  the  cold  weather  was  approaching,  the  men  were  newly 
supplied  with  blankets  and  clothing. 

Six  months  had  nearly  passed,  in  which  ~  the  Regiment 
had  not  received  a  cent  of  pay.  To  their  infinite  joy, 
their  old  friend,  Major  Alton,  arrived  on  the  26th,  and 
doled  out  from  his  iron  box  his  bright  new  greenbacks. 
Five  days  afterwards,  they  were  again  mustered  for  pay. 

The  First  Brigade  at  this  period  was  subjected  to  sev 
eral  changes  in  its  commanding  officer.  Colonel  Davis, 
of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third  New  York,  Colonel 
Dudley,  of  the  Thirtieth  Massachusetts,  and  Colonel 
Love,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New  York,* 
severally  commanded  at  difierent  times,  but  eventually 
General  Beal  returned  to  the  Brigade,  and  remained  in 
charge  of  it  until  its  dissolution,  at  the  close  of  the  war. 

Colonel  Dudley  was  a  regular  officer,  and  took  great 
*  All  these  officers  subsequently  became  Brevet  Brigadier  Generate. 


462  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

delight  in  rigidly  enforcing  all  the  little  technicalities 
and  formalities  of  military  discipline.  Among  the  means 
which  he  employed  to  establish  in  the  Brigade,  what  he 
was  pleased  to  term  an  esprit  de  corps,  he  had  an  especial 
weakness  for  reviews.  These  fatiguing  displays,  from 
their  frequency,  at  length  became  perfectly  stale  and  un 
profitable  to  the  men.  Upon  November  7th,  a  review 
was  held  more  interesting  and  imposing  than  anything 
participated  in  for  a  long  time.  It  was  the  well  remem 
bered  occasion  upon  which  General  Sheridan  reviewed 
the  Nineteenth  Corps.  At  the  termination  of  this  grand 
pageant,  General  Sheridan  passed  high  encomiums  upon 
the  steadiness  and  soldierly  bearing  of  the  men. 

It  had  been  rumored  for  some  time,  that  in  consequence 
of  the  rainy  weather,  the  muddy  roads,  and  the  approach 
of  winter,  the  army  could  not  be  supplied  at  so  great  a 
distance  from  a  base,  and  would  soon  be  compelled  to  fall 
back  down  the  valley.  Such  proved  to  be  the  case.  Af 
ter  remaining  nearly  three  weeks  at  Cedar  Creek,  an  order 
finally  came  for  the  troops  to  march  on  the  morning  of 
November  9th.  At  10  o'clock  the  camps  were  broken  up, 
and  the  men  tramped  down  the  pike.  Through  Middle- 
town  and  Newtown  the  army  passed.  About  a  mile  be 
low  the  latter  place,  at  4  o'clock,  the  column  halted,  and 
the  different  commands  were  assigned  to  carefully  selected 
camping-grounds.  Before  dark,  they  were  all  arranged 
in  a  strong  defensive  position,  upon  a  series  of  hills  that 
run  across  the  valley.  The  Nineteenth  Corps  was  in  the 
front,  of  which  our  First  Brigade  held  the  extreme  ad 
vance  line.  The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  was 
posted  upon  a  small  circular  knoll,  close  by  the  pike, 
flanked  upon  both  sides  by  the  other  Regiments  of  the 
Brigade.  £~ 

Camp  Russell  was  the  name  given  to  the  encampment, 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  463 

in  honor  of  a  General  by  that  namevwho  fell  at  Opequan, 
attached  to  the  "Bloody  Sixth."  It  was  intended  to  be 
the  winter  quarters  of  the  army.  Accordingly,  the  men 
began  to  make  provision  for  the  rigors  of  a  Virginia  win 
ter.  In  the  absence  of  lumber,  they  had  recourse  to  the 
adjoining  forests  for  logs  and  fire-wood.  With  no  other 
implements  than  their  axes,  they  constructed  neat  and 
commodious  huts,  while  stone  walls  and  mud  holes  fur 
nished  them  abundant  material  for  fire-places  and  chim 
neys.  Some  of  the  most  curious  specimens  of  Yankee 
ingenuity  were  often  displayed  in  the  architecture  and  fur 
niture  of  these  little  edifices,  exciting  the  wonder  and 
frequent  merriment  of  the  natives. 

In  a  few  days  the  whole  army  was  completely  housed, 
when  began  a  long  season  of  dreary  inactivity,  which  was 
rendered  gloomy  by  the  most  inclement  weather.  With 
the  exception  of  an  occasional  parade  or  review,  the  chief 
employment  of  the  men  was  on  picket  duty,  or  in  digging 
breastworks,  which  were  being  constantly  carried  for 
ward,  under  the  immediate  superintendence  of  Lieutenant 
Eddy,  of  the  Brigade  staff. 

For  the  first  few  days  after  their  arrival  at  this  camp, 
the  rebels  persistingly  and  continually  annoyed  the 
pickets.  Finally,  on  the  evening  of  November  12th,  they 
made  such  serious  demonstrations  that  a  battle  seemed 
imminent.  The  troops  were  called  into  line,  and  the 
First  Brigade  wras  ordered  to  move  forward  on  a  recon- 
noissance.  At  the  sight  of  our  battle  array,  the  enemy 
scampered  off. 

After  the  men  had  marched  five  miles,  skirmishing  and 
maneuvering,  but  failing  to  discover  any  considerable 
force  of  rebels,  in  the  afternoon  they  returned  to  camp, 
and  were  never  afterwards  disturbed  by  the  sounds  of 
picket  firing. 


464  EECOBD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

November  24th  was  a  National  Thanksgiving  day,  to 
wards  which  our  men  had  been  anxiously  looking  for 
several  weeks,  seeing  it  was  announced  that  the  Northern 
people  were  to  set  before  them  that  day  a  turkey  dinner. 
When  at  last  the  time  came,  many  of  them  were  griev 
ously  disappointed  in  not  even  getting  a  taste  of  turkey 
meat.  Although  immense  quantities  of  fowls  were  dis 
tributed — and  the  gift  was  really  munificent — yet  it  was 
hardly  appreciated,  from  the  fact  that  but  few  were  for 
tunate  enough  to  secure  the  coveted  wish-bones  and  drum 
sticks.  In  the  afternoon  the  Brigade  was  called  together, 
when  services  were  held  appropriate  to  the  occasion. 

One  evening  the  troops  were  hurriedly  ordered  into 
line,  when  a  telegram  announcing  the  great  victory  at 
Nashville  was  read,  and  General  D  wight  delivered  a 
short  but  thrilling  speech. 

The  army  about  this  time  became  very  considerably 
"reduced  in  numbers.  The  Sixth  Corps  was  ordered  to 
join  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  most  of  the  Eighth 
Corps  were  sent  off  to  the  frontiers  of  Western  Virginia. 
Subsequently,  when  the  glorious  tidings  of  the  capture 
of  Savannah  were  received,  an  order  came  for  the  Second 
Division  of  the  Nineteenth  Corps  to  sail  to  the  above 
named  city,  and  hold  it  while  Sherman  untrammeled 
could  proceed  with  his  "  Grand  March."  When  all  the 
troops  had  departed,  the  Army  of  the  Shenandoah  was 
composed  of  little  else  than  the  First  Division  Nineteenth 
Corps,  and  the  Cavalry  Corps.  The  diminished  army 
still  held  its  position  at  Camp  Russell,  embedded  in  mud 
and  snow,  suffering  the  most  keen  and  windy  weather. 

Christmas  day  was  an  occasion  of  much  rejoicing,  and 
was  passed  in  various  amusements. 

A  camp  rumor  for  some  time  prevalent,  that  the  army 
was  to  fall  back,  was  definitely  settled  on  the  evening  of 


t 

AWD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  466 

the  29th,  by  marching  orders.  But  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth  was  exccptediu  the  orders,  being  directed 
to  remain  in  the  earthworks,  to  protect  the  lumber  and 
stores  of  the  Brigade,  until  these  also  could  be  removed. 

At  daybreak  of  the  30th,  the  troops  were  on  the  road 
to  Winchester,  leaving  the  Regiment  alone  among  their 
deserted  quarters.  In  the  afternoon,  the  commanding 
officer,  who,  also,  for  the  time  being,  was  Commander-in- 
Chief  of  the  valley  above  Winchester,  with  the  field  and 
staff  and  a  couple  of  line  officers,  made  a  raid  upon  the 
ancient  town  of  Newtown.  The  splendid  dash  of  the 
troupe  at  full  gallop  through  the  village,  took  the  inhabi 
tants  by  surprise,  arid  they  were  about  to  capitulate  on 
easy  terms.  Suddenly,  by  a  strategic1  movement,  they 
were  flanked  by  the  enemy,  who  appeared  in  crinoline 
and  calico,  and  after  a  resolute  resistance,  by  the  force  of 
arms  they  were  obliged  to  surrender.  The  insurgents, 
proud  of  their  superior  tact  and  skill,  won  the  day. 
Later,  after  the  smoke  of  the  contest  had  subsided,  the 
Commander  of  the  Department,  having  effected  his  escape, 
attended  by  a  field  officer  and  an  orderly,  made  a  recon- 
noissance  by  moonlight ! 

It  was  a  source  of  much  discomfort  to  many  of  our 
gallant  Yankee  officers,  that  they  did  not  sooner  learn 
that  there  were  so  many  admirers  of  Southern  chivalry, 
so  many  aiders  and  abettors  of  Southern  rights,  in  the 
little  town  of  Newtown,  in  the  "  Old  Dominion."  They 
flattered  themselves  they  could  materially  have  aided 
Union  interests  by  inducing  them,  if  not  by  sabre  and 
sword,  by-  the  attractive  power  of  eloquence  and  good 
looks,  to  espouse  the  cause  of  the  despised  Puritan  and 
Saxon,  as  between  the  proud  Cavalier  and  Norman. 
Nevertheless,  the  work  of  "reorganization  of  society" 


466  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

had  begun  ! — some  having  already,  with  full  purpose  of 
heart,  adopted  the  beautiful  language  of  pious  Ruth,  in 
Scripture :  "  I  pray  thee  not  to  depart  from  me ;  where 
thou  goest  I  will  go  ;  where  thou  lodgest  I  will  lodge ; 

thy  people  shall  be  my  people,  and  thy  God  my  God." 

* 
January  First,  Eighteen  Hundred  and  Sixty-Five  ! 

"  On  frosty  wings  the  demon  fled, 
Howling,  as  o'er  the  wall  he  sped, 
Another  year  is  gone  ! " 

Of  pain  and  anguish — of  desolated  homes — of  sorrow 
and  death— what,  "  Old  Year,"  has  been  thy  record  ?  Of 
great  joy  and  comfort  to  all  afflicted  people,  what  have 
been  thy  tidings  ?  Departed  year  !  year  of  mixed  good 
and  evil !  year  of  sanguinary  strife,  of  disappointed  hopes, 
of  wrecked  happiness  in  many  lands  !  We  sigh  not,  we 
sorrow  not,  that  thy  record  is  closed,  and  thy  race  is  run  : 
but  we  shall  never  forget  thee,  painful  as  the  remembrance 
will  ever  be,  because  of  the  sad  events  that  occurred  in 
our  own  dear  land  during  thy  existence. 

A  "  New  Year !  "  Whatever  of  hopes  or  fears — of 
joyous  anticipations  or  evil  forebodings — may  be  awaken 
ed  by  thy  advent,  we  gladly  turn  from  the  bitter  recollec 
tions  of  the  past,  to  hail  thy  appearance — to  joyfully  greet 
thy  coming  ! 

Near  11  o'clock  of  New  Year's  morning,  moving  order* 
came.  Huts  were  uncovered  or  pulled  down,  the  men 
taking  their  shelters,  tortoise-fashion,  on  their  backs,  and 
about  2  P.  M.  were  on  the  road  to  Winchester.  The  night 
before  there  had  been  a  light  fall  of  snow,  which  was  con 
siderably  drifted.  The  day  was  not  altogether  the  most 
agreeable  for  moving.  With  the  bright  sunshine  and 
clear  sky  of  a  May  morning,  there  were  the  piercing  winds 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  467 

and  bitter  cold  of  a  Northern  winter.  Passing  through 
Winchester,  where  were  now  General  Sheridan's  Head 
quarters,  by  sundown  they  arrived  within  the  main  camps 
of  the  army,  at  Stevenson's  Depot.  A  ruined  stone 
building  and  a  few  rough  shanties  composed  the  railroad 
station,  around  which,  within  the  radius  of  a  mile,  were 
the  tents  and  cottages  of  Camp  Sheridan. 

The  First  Brigade  was  comfortably  established  under 
the  protection  of  a  deep  forest — the  same  forest  in  which 
the  rebel  General  Hood  had  once  wintered  Jiis  army. 
Near  its  border  the  Regiment  was  directed  to  locate 
itself.  For  a  day  or  two  the  rations  had  became  some 
what  shortened,  and  for  lack  of  convenient  arrangements 
for  cooking  and  sleeping,  the  men  were  anticipating,  that 
night,  a  supper  from  "  airy  nothing,"  and  beds  upon  a 
sheet  of  snow.  Altogether,  they  were  not  disappointed. 
Scarcely,  however,  was  the  encampment  reached,  before 
each  soldier  was  provided  with  a  comforting  potation,  to 
revive  and  sustain  his  drooping  spirits,  by  Captain 
Ketchuin,  Issuing  Commissary  of  the  First  Brigade.  An 
invitation  was  also  extended  by  the  Captain,  in  conjunc 
tion  with  Captain  Thomas,  Commissary  of  First  Division, 
to  the  officers  of  the  Regiment,  to  take  supper,  breakfast 
and  lodging  at  their  Headquarters,  in  an  old  stone  church. 
Ketchum's  heart  was  large  enough  to  embrace  the  whole 
Regiment,  and  he  regretted  that  his  house  was  not. 

The  church,  in  appearance  and  style  of  architecture, 
was  very  ancient,  and  of  the  Quaker  persuasion.  Accord 
ing  to  their  custom  of  building  houses  of  worship,  it  was 
divided  into  two  compartments,  with  sliding  or  folding 
doors  between.  To  accommodate  the  Hicksites  and  the 
Orthodox,  it  was  sub-divided  by  a  cross-partition,  making 
in  all  four  large  rooms.  Two  of  these  were  filled  with 


468  BECOED  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

commissary  stores ;  one  of  the  remaining  was  used  for  an 
eating  room,  the  other  for  a  sleeping  apartment,  the  offi 
cers  occupying  one  vast  bed  upon  the  floor. 

After  a  little  something  for  the  "  stomach  sake,"  and-* 
to  comfort  the  inner  man,  with  well  seasoned  rails  heaped 
upon  the  crackling  fire — there  being  an  immense  stone 
fire-place  in  each  room — supper  came.  And  such  a  sup 
per  for  a  soldier,  hungry  and  tired  !  It  was  worthy  a 
nabob  or  a  king  !  Here  is  the  Bill  of  Fare :  Pork,  pota 
toes,  beef,  oysters,  pickles,  sour-krout,  soft  bread,  tea  and 
coffee.  If  this  would  not  suffice  to  satisfy  the  demands 
of  exhausted  nature,  if  not  the  most  fastidious  taste, 
what  would  ?  To  the  forethought  and  unbounded  gener 
osity  of  our  Commissary,  Division  and  Brigade,  this 
timely  entertainment  was  due. 

It  was  the  holy  Sabbath,  'tis  true,  but  it  was  "  New 
Year's  Evening,"  and  good  feeling,  even  to  jollity,  pre 
vailed.  After  supper,  the  mail  having  been  distributed, 
the  Colonel  read  a  letter  from  a  couple  of  young  ladies  of 
Brooklyn,  Long  Island,  addressed  "  To  the  Bachelors  of 
the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  New  York."  It  was  a 
very  felicitous  affair,  and  there  were  some  who  personally 
appreciated  the  sentiment  it  contained. 

The  new  Chaplain,  having  been  with  the  Regiment  but 
a  short  time,  was  present,  but  demeaned  himself  with 
that  propriety  which  dignified  his  position,  while  passing 
the  transition  from  a  citizen's  to  a  soldier's  life.  Arous 
ing  from  a  nap,  and  rubbing  open  his  eyes  before  the  fire, 
he  was  asked  if  he  ever  saw  such  a  church  as  this.  With 
a  nod  and  a  heavy  wink,  he  seemed  to  say  "Amen,"  but 
said  he  had  always  been  opposed  to  sleeping  in  church 
before.  He  declared  that  it  was  the  first  time  he  ever 
attended  a  Quaker  meeting,  but  he  had  always  been  of 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMEJTT.  469 

the  impression  that  the  "  spiHt  moved "  «•»>  a  different 
manner  from  that  he  was  seeing. 

Camp  Sheridan  promised,  as  certainly  as  anything  in 
military  could,  to  be  their  permanent  winter  quarters. 
Upon  the  following  day  the  men  commenced  the  con 
struction  of  about  a  hundred  log  "  shebangs,"  as  their 
rustic  houses  were  familiarly  termed  in  army  parlance. 
These  completed,  they  settled  down  to  a  staid  and  stupid 
life.  Weeks  and  months  slipped  by,  with  but  few  inci 
dents  occurring  worthy  of  the  simplest  mention.  The 
record  of  the  next  three  months  can  all  be  summed  up  in 
a  few  words.  Sleeping,  reading,  writing,  playing  games, 
cutting  fire-wood,  occasionally  spending  a  night  upon  the 
picket  posts,  or  participating  in  a  parade,  were  the  sole 
employments  of  the  time. 

January  20th,  the  thunder  of  saluting  cannon  announ 
ced  to  the  troops  the  signal  victory  at  Fort  Fisher.  A 
month  later,  an  hundred  guns  roared  forth  the  rejoicings 
over  the  capture  of  Charleston  arid  the  occupation  of 
Fort  Sumpter.  Such  thrilling  successes  convinced  the 
men  that  the  spring  campaign  would  forever  seal  the 
doom  of  the  Confederacy. 

February  27th,  General-  Sheridan  bade  adieu  to  the 
Nineteenth  Corps,  and  with  an  immense  force  of  cavalry 
started  forth  upon  a  raid  up  the  valley,  and  "  On  to 
Richmond."  Our  men  were  never  under  his  command 
again.  His  subsequent  career  and  brilliant  exploits 
around  Petersburg!!,  and  in  pursuit  of  General  Lee,  are 
already  familiar  to  our  readers.  He  had  not  been  gone 
eight  days,  when  the  tidings  of  a  great  victory  indicated 
his  victorious  progress. 

Thirteen  hundred  and  eighty  prisoners,  the  last  rem 
nant  of  Early's  army,  were  marched  into  camp  one 


470  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

evening,  hajjpg  been  captured  by  General  Sheridan,  in 
the  battle  of  Waynesboro.  A  portion  of  the  One  Hun 
dred  and  Fourteenth  was  detailed  to  guard  this  raga 
muffin  crowd,  until  the  cars  had  carried  them  all  away. 
A  detachment  of  the  Regiment  also  went  in  charge  of  a 
squad  to  Harper's  Ferry. 

Major  General  Hancock  was  now  assigned  to  the  com 
mand  of  the  army,  to  which  were  added  portions  of  his 
"  Veteran  Corps,"  as  it  was  inappropriately  termed. 

Stevenson's  Depot  every  week  assumed  more  of  a  busi 
ness  air,  until  restaurants,  bake  shops,  photograph  galle 
ries  and  Jew  stores,  had  grown  up  like  mushrooms,  on 
every  hand.  These  establishments  served  very  materially 
to  lessen  the  finances  of  the  soldiers.  Other  strong 
inducements  were  also  presented  to  incite  them  to  part 
with  their  hard-earned  money.  Certain  days  were  ,set 
apart  j\s  market  days,  when  the  citizsjis  of  the  country 
about  were  permitted  to  come  to  the  picket  line,  and  dis 
pose  of  their  farm  and  garden  products  to  the  troops. 

March  10th,  the  wallets  of  the  men,  which  had  become 
literally  barren,  were  replenished  by  Major  Cramer, 
United  States  Paymaster. 

Through  the  exertions  of  Chaplain  Robinson,  and  the 
labors  of  others,  a  house  of  worship  was  constructed  of 
logs,  and,  by  appropriate  religious  service,  formally  set 
apart  for  sacred  use.  Religious  meetings  were  frequently 
and  regularly  held. 

In  view  of  a  protracted  season  of  rest,  some  of  the 
officers  sent  for  their  wives  to  come  and  visit  them.  It 
was  not  long  before  scenes  of  domestic  life  were  witnessed 
about  the  camps,  and  well-dressed  Northern  ladies  were 
"  keeping  house  "  within  rustic  "shebangs." 

Sundry  young  officers,  and  some  without  straps — all 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMEJUT.  471 

single,  of  course — and  some  who  were  languishing  in 
solitude,  sought  for  opportunities  to  play  the  agreeable 
among  the  fair  damsels  of  the  neighborhood.  Among 
others,  there  was  one  spot  that  was  particularly  attrac 
tive.  A  staid  farmer  and  his  demure  companion,  formerly 
from  Pennsylvania,  residing  near  camp,  were  happy  in  a 
family  of  eight  marriageable  daughters,  of  ages  ranging  in 
an  inverse  ratio  from  "  charming  twenty-seven  "  to  "  sweet 
sixteen."  If  they  did  not  belong  to  the  F.  F.  Y.'s,  they 
were  gay,  and  rumor  said  "purty."  Their  house,  which 
was  not  very  small,  was  so  densely  populated  that  it  went 
by  the  name  of  "  the  Corral" 

On  the  14th  of  March,  General  Emory  reviewed  the 
First  Division.  This  was  the  last  time  the  men  saw  their 
favorite  Corps  commander  in  his  official  capacity,  as  six 
days  afterwards  the  Nineteenth  Corps  was  discontinued,. 
in  compliance  with  orders  from  the  War  Department,  and 
General  Emory  was  sent  to  the  Department  of  the  Cum 
berland.  Upon  taking  leave  of  his  old  command,  he 
issued  a  parting  order,  which  was  couched  in  the  most 
tender  and  touching  words;  and  then,  after  taking  by 
the  hand  many  of  his  past  associates,  he  departed  for  his 
new  station.  From  that  time  the  Nineteenth  Corps,  as 
an  organization,  ceased  to  exist.  The  First  Division, 
though,  remained  unbroken,  and  afterwards  was  knowrr 
by  the  name  of  "Dwight's  Division." 

April  opened  with  glorious  news  of  the  progress  of  our 
arms  on  evejy  hand.  Phil.  Sheridan  was  adding  fresh 
laurels  to  his  brow  at  Five  Forks,  and  a  hundred  guns 
were  fired  to  his  honor  at  Stevenson's  Depot.  It  was 
evident  that  the  Confederacy  was  fast  fading  away,  and 
the  men  believed  it  would  meet  its  final  doom  before  the 
expiration  of  their  term  of  service. 


472  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDKRD 

Again,  on  the  afternoon  of  April  3d,  the  rapid  and 
regular  booming  of  cannon  informed  the  troops  of  still 
another  victory.  Soon  it  was  announced  that  Peters- 
burgh  had  fallen,  and  that  Richmond  had  been  occupied 
by  General  Weitzel.  It  is  impossible  to  describe  the 
jubilant  eiFect  these  glad  tidings  had  upon  both  officers 
and  men.  They  cut  up  a  greater  variety  of  capers, 
pigeon-wings  and  summersaults,  than  any  frolicsome 
school  boy  had  ever  attempted  or  dreamed  of.  They 
continued  their  celebration  till  late  in  the  evening,  when, 
having  become  additionally  hilarious  by  artificial  means, 
they  perpetrated  some  of  the  worst  possible  jokes,  and 
made  some  very  luminous  and  ludicrous  speeches.  The 
motto  that  night  was,  in  the  language  of  Henry  the 

Fifth : 

"  The  man  that  will  not  follow  Bourbon  now. 
Let  him  go  home." 

The  exultation  of  the  occasion  was  suddenly  checked  in 
the  "  wee  small  hours,"  by  the  reception  of  an  order 
which  read  :  "be  in  readiness  to  march  at  10  o'clock  in 
the  morning." 

Weeks  before,  preparatory  orders  had  been  received, 
which  had  been  repeated  with  greater  stringency  and 
particularity  within  the  past  few  days.  The  fall  of  Rich 
mond  doubtless  hastened  if  it  did  not  decide  the  forward 
movement,  in  order  to  check  any  advance  or  demonstra 
tion  of  the  enemy  down  the  valley.  That  night  was  a 
busy,  sleepless  one,  the  hammering  of  boxes  and  the  rum 
bling  of  army  wagons  every  where  being  heard.  Surplus 
baggage  and  dispensable  articles  must  be  disposed  of; 
the  sick,  and  those  unfit  to  march  from  wounds,  had  to  be 
sent  to  the  rear. 


AND  FOURTBBNTH  REGIMENT.  473 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

P.  John.    The  word  of  peace  is  render'd ; 
Hark,  how  they  shout! 

Mowb.    This  had  been  cheerful,  after  victory. 

P.  John.    And  let  oar  army  be  discharged  too. 
And  good  my  lord,  so  please  you,  let  our  trains 
March  by  us ;  that  we  may  peruse  the  men. 

KINO  HENBY  IV. 

«k 

Between  4  and  5  p.  M.  of  April  4th,  the  Army  of  the 
Shenandoah  abandoned  its  winter  quarters  and  moved 
up  the  valley,  led  by  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth, 
The  roads  were  heavy  from  recent  rains,  and  the  trains 
were  heavily  loaded  to  meet  the  necessary  supply,  yet  fail- 
progress  was  made.  In  passing  through  Winchester,  the 
column  hurrahed  for  the  new  commander  of  the  Middle 
Military  Division,  General  Hancock,  who  was  standing 
in  front  of  his  Headquarters.  Some,  though,  did  not  re 
gard  the  General  in  a  very  respectful  manner,  owing  to  a 
distasteful  General  Order  requiring  the  troops  to  wear 
shoes  instead  of  boots,  at  this  wet  season.  About  9 
o'clock  they  bivouaced  near  Kearnstown,  something  like 
a  mile  and  a  half  from  the  earthworks  of  Camp  Russell, 
which  they  vacated  three  months  before. 

Two  days  the  troops  remained  in  this  camp,  discussing 
the  fate  which  had  justly  befallen  the  rebellious  city  of 
Richmond,  the  quondam  Capital  of  a  bogus  Empire.  It 
was  now  well  settled,  if  never  before,  that  foundations 
were  not  fitly  laid  for  distinct  Nationalities  on  Plymouth 
Rock  and  the  Banks  of  the  James. 

The  army  was  awaiting  the  return  of  a  body  of  Cavalry, 


474  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

which  had  started  forth  on  a  reconnoissance,  to  ascertain 
if  the  rebel  Lee  was  retreating  down  the  valley.  Return 
ing,  they  reported  no  enemy  in  the  vicinity,  except  a  few 
armed  men  that  they  called  "  Gorillas."  Then  an  order 
came  for  the  army  to  retrace  its  steps. 

At  8  o'clock  of  April  7th,  the  column  was  set  in  mo 
tion  towards  Winchester.  Arriving  within  a  mile  of  the 
above  place,  at  a  little  settlement  called  Milltown,  camp 
ing  grounds  were  assigned  to  the  troops.  They  pitched 
their  tents  upon  the  best  location  they  had  occupied  for  a 
long  time,  being  in  full  view  of  Winchester,  surrounded 
by  a  most  delightful  country,  a  section  on  which  the  God 
of  Nature  has  lavished  his  blessings. 

They  remained  in  this  place  for  three  days,  during 
which  time  good  news  was  coming  in  constantly.  The 
wires  were  loaded  with  the  intelligence  of  brilliant  suc- 
gfceesses,  and  the  papers  were  overflowing  Avith  accounts  of 
thrilling  interest.  At  length  the  climax  was  reached, 
when  the  tidings  of  Lee's  surrender  carne.  Brazen  can 
non  thundered  forth  glad  notes  of  joy,  and  the  men 
cheered  lustily.  Their  day  of  fighting  was  over.  The 
sanguine  hopes  that  had  been  clustering  around  the  move 
ments  of  Sheridan,  Sherman  and  others,  had  been  more 
than  realized.  Darkness  and  doubt  had  forever  vanished. 
Not  only  had  the  day  of  complete  and  final  victory 
dawned,  but  already  it  had  reached  its  noon-tide  in  the 
splendor  of  successive  achievements. 

The  spot  upon  which  they  rested  was  holy  ground.  It 
has  drank  in  the  choicest  blood,  and  become  sacred  as  well 
as  historic.  Almost  upon  the  very  line  then  occupied, 
Milroy,  Shields  and  Banks  met  the  enemy  under  Jackson 
and  others,  sometimes  to  their  discomfort  and  sorrow. 
How  different  the  movements  of  armies  then  and  now*! 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  475 

How  differently  the  roar  of  massive  cannon  reverberates 
upon  the  ear,  as  an  accompaniment  to  the  exultations  of 
the  present  hour  !  The  battle  cry  and  the  shout  of  victory- 
do  not  mingle  together. 

On  the  evening  of  Sunday,  the  9th,  at  the  close  of  a 
review  by  General  Dwight,  orders  came  to  march  in  the 
morning. 

At  8  o'clpck  of  the  10th,  the  army  started  forth  on  the 
Berry  ville  pike.  Through  a  dreary,  drizzling  day,  over  a 
muddy  road,  they  toiled  on  twenty  miles,  and  near  gun- 
down  arrived  at  a  small  station  on  the  Potomac  and  Win 
chester  Railroad,  called  Summit  Point.  A  half  mile  back 
of  the  depot,  the  Brigade  went  into  camp,  within  the 
shade  of  a  deep  forest.  The  next  morning,  stiff  and  sore 
from  their  severe  march,  the  men  went  merrily  to  work, 
preparing  a  comfortable  and  inviting  camp. 

The  valley  about  Summit  Point  was  high  and  rolling, 
affording  excellent  water,  which  is  one  of  the  greatest 
blessings  of  an  army.  Fresh  and  pure  from  crystal  foun 
tains,  it  could  be  easily  obtained,  and  in  great  abundance. 

April  Fourteenth — a  day  forever  memorable  in  the  an 
nals  of  the  Nation.  Four  years  ago  to-day,  the  bastard 
flag  of  a  so-called  Confederate  States  Government  was 
upreared  upon  the  walls  of  Sumpter.  The  flag  that  waved 
above  its  ramparts,  amid  the  smoke  and  roar  of  the  rebel 
cannonade,  to-day  is  elevated  to  its  former  position.  The 
flag,  whose  staff  was  shot  away  the  ninth  time,  after  it 
had  been  struck  by  the  iron  hail  which  kept  pouring  upon 
the  fortress,  hour  after  hour,  again  waves  over  a  scene 
alike  of  desolation  and  of  triumph.  The  flag  that  was 
taken  up  by  Lieutenant  Hall,  after  its  fall,  nailed  to  the 
staff,  and  planted  upon  the  ramparts  amid  flying  shot  and 
shell,  is  raised  again  in  a  serener  atmosphere,  and  under 

31 


476  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

happier  auspices.  The  flag,  which,  by  the  terms  of  the 
surrender,  the  garrison  was  allowed  to  salute  with  fifty 
guns,  and  which  Major  Anderson  bore  with  him  on  his 
departure,  he  has  to-day,  by  direction  of  the  Government, 
restored  to  its  wonted  place.  It  was  raised  in  the  pure 
air  of  Heaven,  not  as  the  colors  of  a  bogus  empire  were 
raised  four  years  ago,  amid  barbaric  exultations,  and 
pompous  boastings,  and  crazy  shouts.  The  act  was  one 
of  solemn  earnestness,  accompanied  with  words  of  calm 
congratulation,  with  hyms  of  praise,  with  prayerful  and 
tearful  thanksgiving. 

Events  deepen,  and  thicken,  and  crowd  upon  us.  In  the 
midst  of  the  national  rejoicings,  with  illuminations  and 
bonfires  blazing  in  every  town,  and  the  merry  peal  of  the 
festive  bell  in  every  village,  our  cities  blossoming  with 
flags,  our  hearts  beating  high  with  joy,  the  two  great 
armies  of  Grant  and  Lee  fraternizing  together  after  their 
long  warfare,  and  exulting  together  over  the  return  of* 
peace — on  the  evening  of  the  day  which  commemorates 
the  crucifixion  of  the  Saviour  of  mankind — on  the  anni 
versary  of  the  day  when  the  flag  of  Sumpter  was  hauled 
down,  and  on  the  day  when  it  was  restored — Abraham 
Lincoln,  the- head  of  the  nation,  was  inhumanly  butchered 
by  an  armed  emissary  of  treason.  Over  two  and  a  half 
centuries  have  passed  away  since  the  ruler  of  any  great 
nation  of  the  world  has  fallen  by  the  murderous  attack 
of  an  assassin  ;  and  for  the  first  time  in  our  history  there 
is  blood  on  the  Presidential  Chair  of  the  Republic.  No 
assassination  on  record — not  even  that  of  Henry  IV,  of 
France,  nor  that  of  the  pious  William  of  Orange— ap 
proximates  in  infamy  to  this. 

The  appalling  intelligence,  received  on  the  morning  of 
the   15th,  produced   a  feeling  of  sadness  too  poignant 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  477 

with  grief  for  expression.  Men  of  renown  die  and  are 
buried.  They  are  eulogized  and  remembered  with  re 
spect.  But  their  departure  from  the  scenes  of  t*heir  use 
fulness  does  not  stir  the  pulse  of  the  whole  nation,  as  did 
the  assassination  of  our  late  Chief  Executive.  Mourners 
go  about  the  streets,  and  there  are  outward  expressions  of 
sorrow,  when  the  great  and  good  are  called  away ;  but 
they  do  not  symbolize  a  profound  and  earnest  affliction. 
The  sorrow  is  not  that  of  heart-sickness  and  soreness  of 
anguish,  all-diffusing,  and  all-subduing — of  "  grief  that 
will  not  speak."  Among  the  worthiest  and  best  of  Presi 
dents,  will  descend  to  the  latest  posterity  the  name  of 
Abraham  Lincoln. 

On  Sunday  afternoon,  the  16th,  the  Brigade  quietly 
assembled  beneath  the  dark  shade  of  the  forest,  and 
listened  to  an  "eloquent  eulogy  upon  the  life  and  charac 
ter  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  by  the  young  and  gifted  Chap- 
.Tain  Gorton,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Sixteenth  New 
York.  Our  worthy  Chaplain  Robinson,  Chaplain  Webster, 
of  the  Twenty-Ninth  Maine,  and  the  model  Chaplain 
Enders,  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fifty-Third  New  York, 
assisted  in  the  exercises. 

On  Wednesday,  the  1 9th,  it  being  the  day  of  the  Presi 
dent's  funeral,  Chaplain  Webster  delivered  before  the 
troops  a  feeling  and  forcible  address. 

That  the  war  was  virtually  closed  was  now  quite  cer 
tain.  Mosby,  the  guerrilla  chief,  the  last  armed  rebel  in 
the  Shenandoah  Valley,  had  already  surrendered  to  Gen 
eral  Hancock,  and  troops  were  no  longer  needed  in  that 
section. 

Between  12  and  1  o'clock  of  April  20th,  orders  came  to 
be  ready  to  move  at  a  moment's  notice.  At  9  o'clock  the 
following  morning  the  men  struck  their  tents  and  moved 


478  BECOUD  OF  THB  ONE  HUNDRED 

to  the  railroad  station.  Before  12,  Dwight's  Division, 
with  horses  and  material,  loading  to  repletion  three  trains 
of  thirty  cars  each,  was  rolling  over  the  iron  rail  to 
Harper's  Ferry.  In  bidding  farewell  to  the  Shenandoah, 
our  boys  took  their  departure  with  commingled  feelings 
of  joy  and  sorrow — of  joy,  that  their  services  were  no 
longer  needed  to  beat  back  the  hosts  of  the  enemy ;  of 
sorrow,  because  of  dear  comrades  left  behind  upon  the 
blood-dyed  fields  of  the  valley.  Two  hours  brought 
them  to  Harper's  Ferry,  when  they  viewed  for  the  last  time 
the  familiar  yet  ever-enchanting  features  of  this  historic 
place.  Through  a  long,  dreary,  sleepless  night,  the  lazy 
"  camel-back "  engines  slowly  tugged  the  ponderous 
trains  towards  Baltimore.  By  daylight  they  found  them 
selves  near  the  Relay  House.  Crossing  the  magnificent 
viaduct  over  the  Patapsco  River,  their  course  was  now  in 
the  direction  of  Washington.  « 

The  funeral  cortege,  bearing  the  honored  remains  of 
President  Lincoln  to  his  home  in  Springfield,  Illinois,  was 
officially  announced  to  leave  Washington  at  precisely  8 
o'clock.  At  Annapolis  Junction,  twenty-two  miles  from 
Washington,  the  streets  and  depot  were  completely  filled, 
including  invalids  from  the  Junction  Hospital,  drawn  up  in 
line,  all  anxious  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  imposing  specta 
cle  ;  the  windows  of  dwellings  were  crowded  with  anxious 
faces.  When  some  fifteen  miles  from  the  Capital,  the 
tolling  bell  of  the  tender  announced  the  near  approach  of 
the  funeral  train.  Men  and  officers,  filling  to  overflowing 
a  hundred  slowly  moving  cars,  viewed  with  sorrowful 
countenances,  many  with  tearful  eyes,  the  imposing  and 
mournful  cortege  that  was  bearing  to  its  last  resting 
place,  to  be  mingled  with  its  native  dust,  all  that  was 
mortal  of  the  great  Emancipator. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  479 

At  length  the  dome  of  the  Capitol  came  in  view,  arid 
soon,  in  Maryland  Avenue,  the  troops  disembarked  from 
the  cars.  Marching  to  the  barracks  near  the  Baltimore 
depot,  they  were  fed  by  the  officials  of  the  Soldiers'  Rest. 
About  3  o'clock,  the  First  Brigade,  with  the  colors 
dressed  in  mourning,  moved  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue, 
presenting  a  fine  appearance,  and  attracting  general  atten 
tion.  Passing  the  White  House,  tastefully  draped  in 
black,  they  moved  on  to  Georgetown  and  Tenallytown, 
where  they  encamped  upon  the  same  ground,  near  the 
latter  place,  they  had  occupied  more  than  nine  months 
before,  when  Washington  was  in  danger.  Now  that  they 
were  here,  the  question  was  freely  asked :  "  What  are  we 
here  for  ?  "  "  Whither  are  we  bound  ?  "  The  general  im 
pression  seemed  to  be  "  distant  service  " — some  thought 
Texas  was  their  ultimate  destination. 

The  assassin  of  the  President  was  supposed  to  be  still 
in  Washington,  and  D  wight's  Division  was  ordered  to 
keep  a  close  chain  of  sentinels  outside  the  forts  on  the 
east  side  of  the  city.  Of  this  line  the  First  Brigade  had 
about  four  miles  to  guard,  which  gave  employment  to 
quite  a  number  of  the  men. 

On  the  afternoon  of  April  26th,  a  Division  of  the 
Ninth  Corps,  under  General  Willcox,  arrived  at  Tenally 
town,  and  the  First  Brigade  was  ordered  to  vacate  the 
ground  for  the  new  comers. 

At  7  o'clock  of  the  next  morning,  the  men  marched  to 
another  camp.  Beneath  the  rays  of  a  sweltering  gun, 
they  pursued  a  romantic  road  that  wound  among  ravines 
and  groves,  until,  having  traversed  ten  miles,  they  halted 
upon  the  identical  spot  they  had  occupied  when  they  first 
landed  in  Washington,  at  the  time  it  was  besieged.  In 
the  rear  of  Fort  Lincoln,  close  by  the  track  of  the  Balti- 


RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

more  and  Ohio  Railroad,  on  a  level,  grassy  field,  they 
pitched  their  tents.  In  this  pleasant  camp  they  were 
destined  to  stay  one  month.  Picket  duty  and  parade 
constituted  their  chief  employment,  in  the  intervals  of 
which  they  found  abundant  sources  of  amusement.  Pass 
es  were  freely  given  to  those  who  wished  to  visit  the 
city.  Anon  they  roamed  the  marble  halls  of  the  Capitol,- 
strolled  among  the  curiosities  of  the  Patent  Office,  studied 
the  paintings  and  specimens  of  natural  history  in  the 
Smithsonian  Institute,  climbed  the  unfinished  shaft  of  the 
Washington  Monument,  wandered  among  the  different 
colored  rooms  of  the  White  House,  passed  through  the 
long  corridors  of  the  Treasury  Building  and  Post  Office, 
and  viewed  the  busy  scenes  of  the  Navy  Yard. 

April  29th,  the  heavy  guns  on  the  forts  thundered 
forth  a  national  salute  over  the  intelligence  received  of 
the  surrender  of  Johnson's  army.  The  rebellion  was  now. 
ended.  For  the  first  time  since  entering  the  service,  the 
men  became  restless,  and  evinced  a  grumbling  disposi 
tion.  The  burden  of  their  remarks  was :  "  We  don't 
want  to  drill  and  parade  any  longer."  "  The  war  is 
ended,  and  we  want  to  go  home."  "We've  learnt  all 
the  military  we  want  to  know."  "  Soldiering  is  played 
out." 

April  30th,  the  Regiment  was  once  more  mustered  for 

pay. 

May  12th  was  a  day  set  apart  for  Division  review  by 
General  Willcox.  Upon  reaching  the  parade  ground  in 
the  rear  of  Fort  Bunker  Hill,  what  was  the  surprise  of 
the  men  to  find  that  their  own  favorite  Phil.  Sheridan 
was  the  reviewing  officer.  As  he  galloped  down  in  front 
of  the  line,  accompanied  by  Generals  Willcox  and  D  wight, 
he  looked  as  if  at  another  Winchester,  for  all  the  world  as 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  481 

lie  did  at  the  battle  of  Cedar  Creek — the  same  glowing 
smile ;  the  same  familiar  gestures  of  recognition ;  the 
same  graceful,  handsome  form,  upon  the  same  black 
horse.  The  men  could  not  be  restrained  from  breaking 
in  upon  the  rules  of  the  review,  bursting  forth  simul 
taneously  into  prolonged  and  deafening  cheers.  When 
they  marched  before  the  General,  each  man  tried  his  ut 
most  to  present  a  soldierly  appearance,  and  the  result 
was,  the  review  was  universally  applauded  by  a  large 
number  of  distinguished  spectators. 

On  the  14th,  intelligence  was  received  in  camp,  of  the 
capture  on  the  10th  inst.,  of  Jeff.  Davis,  at  Irwinsville, 
Georgia,  seventy-five  miles  south-east  of  Macon,  whilst 
attempting  to  make  his  escape  in  disguise.  The  capture 
was  effected  by  Colonel  Pritchard,  of  the  Fourth  Michi 
gan  Cavalry. 

On  the  10th,  a  quantity  of  "A"  tents  were  issued  to 
the  command,  and  for  the  first  time  for  over  a  year,  the 
men  slept  under  the  ample  protection  of  heavy  navy 
canvas. 

The  Army  of  the  Potomac  and  Sherman's  Grand  Army 
were,  every  day  augmenting  the  number  of  troops  about 
Washington.  The  heroes  who  had  rescued  the  political 
metropolis  of  the  Union  from  the  hands  of  rebel  bar 
barians,  were  now  gathering  around  it,  like  children  who 
cluster,  after  a  hard  day's  work  or  a  long  absence,  to  the 
comforts  of  fireside  and  home.  Nearly  two  hundred  and 
thirty  thousand  of  these  citizen  soldiers  were  quartered 
on  the  fields  and  hills,  and  along  the  streams  that  environ 
the  proud  Capital  that  bears  the  name  of  the  Father  of 
his  Country. 

It  was  immediately  rumored  that  a  grand  review  was 
about  to  take  place,  and  soon  it  was  officially  announced 


482  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

that  President  Johnson  and  General  Grant  "were  to  receive 
the  marching  salute  of  the  immense  army,  in  front  of  the 
White  House,  on  the  23d  and  24th  of  May.  Instantly 
preparations  were  commenced  to  be  ready  for  the  great 
event,  while  all  looked  forward  to  the  occasion  as  being 
one  of  rare  interest. 

Innumerable  trains  rumbled  past  the  camp,  filled  to 
overflowing  with  people  from  every  State  of  the  Union, 
coming  to  witness  the  grand  pageant,  the  like  of  which 
probably  had  never  been  witnessed. 

On  the  evening  of  the  22d,  the  First  Brigade  moved 
out  from  camp  to  bivouac  for  the  night  upon  Capitol 
Hill,  so  as  to  be  in  position  and  ready  for  the  morning's 
exercises.  'After  a  march  of  three  miles,  it  was  halted 
near  the  Congressional  Cemetery,  when  the  men  spread 
their  blankets  upon  the  velvety  grass  and  laid  down  to 
sleep.  All  around  a  great  host  filled  the  open  country 
east  of  the  Capitol,  clear  to  the  banks  of  the  Eastern 
Branch. 

The  23d  of  May  dawned  in  unrivaled  beauty.  The  sky 
was  exquisitely  blue,  with  just  enough  of  white  floating- 
clouds  to  deepen  its  loveliness.  The  men  were  up  early, 
polishing  their  equipments  and  brushing  their  uniforms. 
The  lines  were  presently  formed,  and  then  they  laid  down 
upon  the  ground,  wearily  awaiting  their  time  to  move. 
At  9  o'clock  a  single  cannon  thundered  the  announce 
ment  to  the  city  that  the  ceremony  had  commenced. 
Heavy  columns  of  troops  were  seen  marching  in  an  in 
terminable  stream  toward  the  Capitol,  and  yet  hour  after 
hour  D wight's  Division  was  forced  to  wait. 

At  11  o'clock  the  bugle  sounded  the  attention.  The 
Regiments  were  compactly  formed  in  a  massed  column, 
twenty  deep,  and  then  they  tramped  toward  the  city. 


AND  FOURTEENTH    RKGIMKNT.  483 

As  they  .approached  nearer  to  the  Capitol,  eager  crowds 
of  spectators  were  observed  by  the  side-ways.  When 
opposite  the  venerable  pile,  the  flags  were  unfurled,  the 
bands  struck  up  their  liveliest  tunes,  and  the  men  kept 
time  with  light,  springy  step,  which  combined  into  the 
rythmic  tread,  upon  the  newly  brushed  and  sprinkled  pave 
ment.  They  swept  by  the  Old  Capitol  Prison,  whose 
grated  windows  were  filled  with  peeping  eyes  of  rebel 
prisoners ;  passed  around  the  circular  park  of  the  Capi 
tol,  whose  high  iron  fence,  stone  posts  and  trees  were 
loaded  with  adventurous  urchins ;  came  close  by  the 
north  front  of  the  Capitol,  where  were  congregated  thou 
sands  of  the  school  children  of  Washington,  who  were 
waving  miniature  flags  and  singing  national  airs,  with 
childish  glee,  while  over  their  heads  immense  marble 
columns  and  walls  sustained  countless  banners  and  mot 
toes.  Floral  arches  spanned  the  street,  while  the  air  was 
in  perpetual  flutter  from  numberless  flags  which  were 
pendant  from  every  conceivable  point.  Finally,  as  they 
descended  the  hill  and  entered  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  a 
magnificent  spectacle  burst  before  them.  Looking  west 
ward  for  more  than  a  mile,  to  the  Treasury  Building, 
they  saw  a  vast  host  of  marching  troops,  filling  the  wide 
street  from  curb  to  curb — the  surface  of  the  mass  undu 
lating  with  the  cadenced  march — bayonets,  and  gun-bar 
rels,  and  sabres,  and  spear-heads  glistening  with  innumera 
ble  jets  and  sparkles  of  light — a  flood  forever  flowing  on 
in  wave  after  wave,  from  ever-full  fountains,  through 
gaily  enameled,  flowery  banks  of  crowded  side- walks, 
packed  windows  and  thronged  house-tops,  all  ablaze  with 
banners,  and  flowers,  and  rnany-hued  dresses. 

As  the  men  progressed  up  the  gay  thoroughfare,  the 
sight  every  moment  became  more  and  more  dazzling  and 


484  liECOKD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

exciting.  Their  hearts  swelled  with  honest  pride  when 
they  observed  how  boundless  and  munificent  was  the 
ovation.  They  felt,  indeed,  that  it  was  a  triumphal 
inarch !  What  first  attracted  their  eyes  was  the  great 
profusion  of  flowers.  From  balconies  and  roofs  there 
descended  a  hail  of  bouquets,  until  every  man  had  his 
clingy  and  dust-powdered  uniform  lighted  up  with  floral 
embellishments.  There  were  garlands  of  flowers  on  the 
shoulders,  breasts  and  arms  of  the  mounted  officers ; 
wreaths  of  flowers  over  the  arched  necks  of  their  chargers ; 
bouquets  of  flowers  at  the  saddle-bow  or  in  the  bridle- 
hand  ;  sprigs  of  flowers  projected  from  the  gun-barrels  of 
the  soldier ;  sprigs  of  flowers  were  badges  on  the  breasts 
of  the  officers  heading  the  ranks  ;  and  above  all,  wreaths 
and  garlands  of  flowers,  and  in  several  instances  civic 
crowns  of  laurel,  were  pendant  from  the  spear-heads  of 
the  torn  battle-flags  and  bullet-riddled  guidons. 

What  particularly  affected  our  men,  was  to  see  how 
deep  a  sensation  was  caused  by.  the  appearance  of  their 
pierced,  scorched  and  raveled  flag.  How  reverently  the 
color-bearer  drooped  his  treasured  trophy  in  answering 
salute  to  the  cheers,  and  hand-clappings,  and  'kerchief- 
wavings  of  the  immense  multitude. 

As  they  drew  near  to  the  Treasury  Building,  the  crowds 
of  enthusiastic  citizens  became  denser  and  denser,  and 
the  mounted  sentinels  struggled  hard  to  prevent  them 
from  encroaching  upon  the  marching  column.  From  the 
windows  of  Willard's  Hotel,  several  State  flags  were 
suspended,  indicating  where  different  Governors  were 
stationed  to  observe  the  spectacle. 

The  column  surged  through  a  perfect  sea  of  heads  and 
fluttering  handkerchiefs,  until  it  wheeled  to  pass  the 
White  House.  At  this  point  of  the  march,  the  scene  was 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  -tS.r; 

enchanting.  Upon  both  sides  of  the  street,  immense 
stands  with  gay  canopies  were  erected,  with  seats  raised 
one  above  another,  and  covered  over  with  a  brilliant 
assemblage  of  the  wealth,  beauty  and  refinement  of  the 
land.  The  strains  of  martial  music  were  hushed  by  the 
deafening  applause  which  ascended  all  around  and  above 
the  men.  TsTow  the  reviewing  stand  came  in  view.  There, 
embowered  in  a  perfect  maze  of  national  colors,  sat  Andy 
Johnson,  and  Generals  Grant  and  Sherman,  surrounded  by 
the  Cabinet,  and  Diplomatic  Corps  in  flashing  uniforms. 
Before  them  a  military  band  discoursed  sweet  music,  and 
a  guard  of  soldiers  stood  in  line,  prim  and  starch. 

The  important  moment  had  arrived.  The  officers  salu 
ted,  the  flags  drooped,  a  heavy  roll  of  drums  gave  the 
marching  honors,  and  as  far  as  our  men  were  participants, 
the  great  event  was  over,  leaving  a  vivid  impression  on 
the  mind.  Turning  oif  upon  a  cross  street,  they  ran  at 
double  quick  some  distance,  to  make  way  for  those  coming 
after  them,  when  they  took  up  a  slow  line  of  march  for 
camp.  In  the  distance  was  heard  the  ringing  shouts 
that  greeted  the  successively  appearing  veterans  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Early  the  next  morning,  it  was  announced  to  the  Regi 
ment  that  all  who  desired  could  go  to  the  city,  and  wit 
ness  the  review  of  Sherman's  Army.  Before  9  o'clock 
the 'camp  was  nearly  deserted,  and  the  men  were  either 
wending  their  way  to  the  heart  of  the  city,  or  had  secured 
for  themselves  sightly  positions  on  Pennsylvania  Avenue. 

Punctual  to  a  second,  Major  General  W.  T.  Sherman 
started  his  army,  himself  at  its  head,  splendidly  mounted 
on  a  dark  bay.  He  was  accompanied  by  General  Howard 
and  a  brilliant  staff.  His  appearance  on  the  Avenue  was 
the  signal  for  a  series  of  cheers,  which,  commencing  at 


486  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

the  Capitol,  were  caught  up  by  the  eag%er  crowd  on  both 
sides,  notifying  the  expectants  that  were  crowding  the 
stands  near  the  White  House,  that  the  hero  was  coming. 
As  he  passed  the  pavilion,  mothers  held  up  their  children, 
maids  stood  on  tiptoe,  and  between  the  cheers — "  That's 
he  ! "  "  That's  Sherman  !  "  "  Yes,  that  tall  man  there  !  " 
Then  would  arise  another  cheer,  amid  cries  of  "  Sherman  ! " 
"Sherman!" 

For  six  hours  the  men  witnessed  dense  masses  of 
Western  veterans  sweep  up  the  Avenue,  amid  the  flatter 
ing  of  silken  banners,  and  the  far-away  gleam  of  eighty 
thousand  bright  bayonets,  rising  and  sinking  in  the  un 
dulations  of  the  marching  column.  They  joined  their 
shouts  with  those  of  the  citizens,  when  some  distinguish 
ed  General — some  Logan,  Slocum,  Mower,  Davis,  Geary 
or  Blair — appeared  in  view.  They  heard  the  rumbling  of 
cannon  and  caissons,  the  swelling  strains  of  exultant 
music,  and  the  incessant  shouts  from  the  thronged  pave 
ments  and  house-tops,  until  their  eyes  were  dimmed, 
their  ears  stunned,  and  their  heads  became  dizzy  at  the 
grand  spectacular  scene.  When  in  the  evening  an  ex 
plosion  of  artillery  proclaimed  that  the  last  Regiment 
had  passed,  our  men,  weary  and  hungry,  were  glad  to 
turn  their  faces  homeward.  Presently  they  were  sitting 
around  their  camp  fires,  sipping  coffee  and  chatting  over 
the  different  incidents  of  the  "Grand  Review." 

Rome,  in  her  era  of  imperial  grandeur  ;  France  and 
Germany,  in  the  mediaeval  ages ;  Paris,  in  the  most 
splendid  days  of  Napoleon  ;  London,  in  the  noon-tide  of 
Wellington,  never  looked  upon  such  a  triumphal  proces 
sion  as  rolled  through  the  broad  avenues  of  the  Capital 
of  this  Nation  for  twelve  hours,  a  hundred  and  eighty 
thousand  strong,  and  at  least  thirty  miles  in  length. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KEGIMKNT.  487 

The  question  recurs  :  And  were  these  the  "  exhausted 
resources  "  of  a  nation  decimated  by  four  years  of  bloody 
strife  ?  And  were  these  thirty  miles  of  indomitable  war 
riors  only  two-fifths  of  the  armies  of  the  Republic,,  with 
a  countless  fleet  and  another  of  seamen  to  guard  their 
flanks?  It  must  have  demonstrated  to  the  on-looking 
nations,  that  the  government  of  a  people,  by  a  people,  and 
for  a  people,  is  the  most  stable  and  progressive  form  of 
government  on  earth. 

The  Western  troops,  now  encamped  all  around  Dwight's  • 
Division,  with  unflinching  adherance  to  old  habits,  were 
committing    deplorable    devastation    upon    the   peaceful 
farmers  of  this  section.     They  had  never  educated  them 
selves  to  think  that  as  soldiers  they  would  not  always  be 
among  disloyal  people.     To  guard  against  the  encroach 
ments  of  Sherman's  "  bummers,"  the  One  Hundred  and 
Fourteenth  was  ordered  to  go  into   camp  near  Bladens-- 
burg. 

On  the  evening  of  May  28th,  the  men  marched  out  two 
miles  to  their  new  position,  and  pitched  tents  by  the  side 
of  a  narrow  road,  close  by  a  rough  school  house.  Com 
pany  K,  at  the  same  time,  was  detached  and  sent  to  the 
village,  to  do  guard  duty  at  the  railroad  depot.  As 
days  of  sultry  weather  and  irksome  duties  passed  away,, 
the  men  grew  more  and  more  impatient,  fretful  and  home 
sick,  in  their  great  anxiety  to  be  discharged.  At  length, 
on  the  evening  of  June  5th,  an  order  was  received  which 
allayed  all  their  nervous  apprehensions,  causing  them  to- 
breathe  freer  and  sleep  sounder,  in  the  ^delightful  hope 
that  their  days  of  soldiering  were  nearly  ended.  The 
following  are  the  words  that  wrought  so  happy  a  change 
in  the  mind  of  the  soldiers : . 


488  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

HEADQUARTERS  DWIGHT'S  DIVISION,  ) 
June  5,  1865.          jj" 
GENERAL  ORDERS,  No.  13. 

L— Pursuant  to  General  Order,  No.  94,  War  Department,  Adjutant 
General's  Office,  Current  Series,  and  General  Order,  No.  58,  Head 
quarters  Middle  Military  Division,  Current  Series,  the  114th,  116^h, 
and  133d  New  York  State  Volunteers,  are  hereby  ordered  to  be  mus 
tered  out  of  the  service  of  the  United  States. 

********* 

III. — In  parting  with  these  gallant  regiments,  after  so  long  a  period 
of  service,  the  General  commanding  feels  regret,  mingled  with  pride, 
when  he  recalls  how  patiently  they  endured,  how  bravely  they  have 
fought,  and  how  nobly  they  have  won.  Fort  Bisland,  Port  Hudson, 
Sabine  Cross  Roads,  Pleasa*nt  Hill,  and  Cedar  Grove,  bear  witness  to 
this.  To  all  these  regiments,  the  General  commanding  renders  his 
heartfelt  thanks. 

To  the  114th,  the  General  commanding  tenders  his  acknowledgments, 
•especially  for  the  manner  in  which,  under  his  eye,  at  the  battle  of 
Opequaa,  they  fixed  the  limit  of  the  enemy's  advance  on  that  day, 
and  by  obstinate  fighting,  did  such  signal,  conspicuous  service. 

The  memory  of  the  fallen  will  ever  be  cherished  by  the  Division. 
They  sacrificed  themselves  to  its  glory. 
By  command  of 

BRIGADIER  GENERAL  DWIGHT. 

-J.  G.  LEEFE,  A.  A.  A.  General. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  489 


CHAPTER     XLVII. 

My  lord,  our  army  is  dispers'd  already : 
Like  youthful  steers  unyoked,  they  take  their  courses 
East,  west,  north,  south ;  or,  like  a  school  broke  up, 
Each  hurries  towards  his  home,  and  sporting-place. 

KING  HENKY  IV. 

Upon  the  same  day  that  the  Regiment  \vas  ordered  to 
be  mustered  out  the  United  States  service,  Dwight's 
Division  embarked  for  Savannah.  Hurriedly  the  First 
Brigade  broke  camp,  marched  aboard  ocean  steamers, 
and  before  nightfall  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth 
was  left  alone,  unconnected  with  any  Corps,  Division  or 
Brigade,  without  a  General  to  command  it,  floating  in  a 
sea  of  strange  troops.  The  officers  hastened  to  complete 
the  muster-out  rolls,  so  as  to  bring  to  a  final  close  the  last 
red-tape  impediment  to  their  discharge.  After  two  days 
of  ceaseless  labor,  the  last  pen  stroke  was  made,  the 
necessary  papers  perfected. 

On  the  evening  of  June  7th,  a  sumptuous  entertain 
ment  was  provided  by  mine  host  of  the  Avenue  House, 
to  which  officers  of  the  Regiment  were  invited.  The 
tables  literally  groaned  under  the  load  of  eatables,  to  say 
nothing  of  the  pleasant  drinkables,  the  choicest  and  best 
the  market  could  afford.  To  soldiers  of  three  years  in 
the  service,  who  had  mostly  been  served  from  mess-pans 
and  camp-kettles,  the  repast  was  duly  appreciated,  and 
was  a  rich  foretaste  of  the  good  things  in  store  for  the 
returning  volunteers.  There  was  a  general  interchange 
of  sentiment,  short  speeches  were  made,  and  wit  freely 


490  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

flowed.  Hiram  King,  Esq.,  the  gentlemanly  and  enter 
prising  proprietor,  was  formerly  a  resident  of  Chenango 
County,  and  took  great  interest  in  the  Regiment.  The 
privates  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  were  fre 
quently  gratuitously  provided  for  at  his  house,  and  none 
ever  went  away  empty. 

June  8th.  This  day  is  marked  in  the  history  of  the 
Regiment,  as  one  of  greater  and  deeper  interest  than  any 
other  in  its  eventful  career.  A  day,  which  hundreds,  for 
nearly  three  years,  had  been  -anxiously  looking — a  day, 
alas !  by  many  never  seen.  It  was  an  event  of  greater 
interest  than  that  in  which  the  Regiment  was  mustered 
into  the  service — being  the  occasion  on  which  it  was 
mustered  out. 

At  7  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  Companies  one  by  one 
were  inarched  up  in  front  of  the  Colonel's  Headquarters, 
and  were  formally  mustered  out  of  the  United  States 
service,  by  Captain  Pellet,  Assistant  Commissary  of 
Musters  of  Dwight's  Division.  Gladsome  shouts  from 
the  men  betokened  their  appreciation  of  the  welcome 
fact  that  they  were  soldiers  no  longer. 

Grand  as  was  the  military  tableau  in  Washington,  de 
riving  its  magnificence  not  from  outward  pageantry,  but 
from  the  character  of  that  it  was  intended  to  commem 
orate  and  to  symbolize,  there  is  that  which  transcends  it 
in  moral  sVblimity.  It  is  the  significance  of  the  transi 
tion  from  the  soldier  to  the  citizen.  The  soldier  of  yes 
terday  is  the  citizen  of  to-day.  These  honored  veterans 
left  their  homes  with  unfeigned  reluctance,  and  only  in 
obedience  to  the  demands  of  duty.  It  was  the  people's 
war  in  which  they  engaged.  It  was  to  battle  for  the 
rights  of  their  own  firesides,  and  the  interests  of  humani 
ty.  Their  uprising  was  a  tribute  to  free  government,. 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  491 

and  to  the  democratic  institutions  under  which  they  were 
reared.  Their  duty  done,  they  were  more  ready  to  lay 
down  their  arms  than  they  were  to  take  them  up,  in  their 
anxiety  to  return  to  their  families  and  the  pursuits  of 
peace.  Vagabonds  and  cowards  have  crept  in  among 
them,  but  to  say  of  our  volunteer  citizen  soldiers  that 
they  are  demoralized  by  war,  that  they  have  contracted 
habits  inimical  to  peace,  that  they  have  become  unfitted 
for  the  resumption  of  the  duties  of  civil  life,  is  simply 
slanderous. 

For  the  last  time  in  their  lives,  the  men  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  struck  their  tents,  and  at  10 
o'clock  they  were  marching  the  dusty  road  towards 
Washington.  With  all  their  devious  wanderings  for  the 
past  three  years,  they  were  now  journeying  home.  After 
long  years  of  fatiguing  marches,  after  weary  bivouacs, 
after  battles,  and  dangers,  and  trials,  and  prison's  gloom, 
"  homeward  bound."  The  last  battle  had  been  fought, 
the  last  victory  and  greatest  had  been  won,  and  our 
boys  are  "homeward  bound."  The  bivouac  fires  have 
burned  themselves  out,  the  shot  and  shell  and  leaden 
hail  have  expended  their  fury  and  force,  and  our  heroes 
are  "  homeward  bound."  No  more  watching  for  letters 
from  home  ;  no  more  wishing  for  the  Christmas  turkies 
and  mince  pies — for  is  not  the  table  spread  at  home? 
and  dearest,  best  of  all,  does  not  she  stand  waiting  to  re 
ceive  and  serve  her  soldier  boy,  who  has  written  and 
told  her  "  the  cruel  war  is  over,"  and  he  is  "  homeward 
bound?"  Xo  more  gloom,  no  more  doubting,  no  more 
darkness,  but  in  their  stead,  sunshine  and  song,  and 
heavenly  peace,  for  the  boys  are  "  homeward  bound ! " 
No  more  "  hard  tack,"  no  more  "  salt  horse,"  for  the 
braves  are  "  homeward  bound." 


492  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

After  several  hours  of  impatient  waiting  near  the  Balti 
more  depot,  they  finally  went  on  board  a  long  train  of 
rough  cars,  the  whistle  blew,  and  away  they  rumbled 
from  the  city  of  Washington.  With  slow  speed  and  long 
halts,  they  did  not  reach  Baltimore  till  10  o'clock  at  night. 
Jumping  from  the  cars,  they  formed  a  line  and  marched 
through  the  dark  and  deserted  streets  of  the  familiar  city, 
where  long  years  before  they  had  spent  two  months  oi 
their  service.  At  the  same  depot  where  they  first  set  foot 
upon  the  soil  of  Maryland,  they  were  halted  and  directed 
to  appropriate  a  train  standing  to  receive  them. 

When  the  first  rays  of  sunlight  opened  on  the  9th  of 
June,  everything  was  ready,  and  the  train  whirled  north 
ward.  Throughout  the  entire  day  they  glided  among 
the  wild  mountains  and  forests  of  Pennsylvania,  now 
sweeping  across  fertile  fields,  or  following  the  sinuous 
windings  of  the  Susquehanna.  The  people  by  the  road 
side  gave  hearty  cheers  at  the  appearance  of  the  war 
worn  veterans.  The  plow-boys  stopped  their  teams  in 
the  fields,  to  throw  their  hats  in  the  air.  The  good 
Dutch  housewives  ran  to  the  gates  to  wave  their  aprons ; 
all  the  windows  and  doors  of  the  humble  cottages,  were 
filled  with  gleeful  children.  At  every  station  where  the 
train  halted,  the  cars  were  surrounded  with  kind  and 
smiling  faces.  At  the  little  village  of  Milton,  in  particu 
lar,  it  seemed  as  though  the  entire  population  had  turned 
out  to  bid  them  welcome.  A  large  number  of  beautiful 
and  well-dressed  young  ladies  bustled  around  to  distribute 
their  little  donations  of  sweet-cakes  and  bouquets.  By 
sundown  they  had  arrived  at  Williamsport.  Arranging 
themselves  with  care  upon  the  floors  and  roofs  of  the 
cars,  the  tired  men  slept  through  a  dark  and  chilly  night, 
all  the  while  noaring  their  homes. 


A.ND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  493 

When  the  day  dawned,  they  found  themselves  in  their 
own  native  State  of  New  York,  and  nigh  to  the  city  of 
Elmira.  Rattling  slowly  through  the  streets,  they  halted 
and  disembarked  at  the  depot.  A  long  row  of  whisky- 
shops  stood  near  at  hand,  in  the  doors  of  which  the  pro 
prietors  were  greedily  gazing  upon  the  returning  volun 
teers,  and  seemed  to  be  the  only  people  in  the  town  who 
took  the  least  interest  in  their  arrival.  The  men  were 
allowed  to  obtain  their  breakfast  wherever  they  could 
find  it.  The  forenoon  passed  heavily  away,  while  prepara 
tions  were  being  made  to  secure  transportation  to  carry 
the  Regiment  to  Binghamton.  At  length  a  train  of  pas 
senger  cars  was  drawn  up  on  the  track,  which  the  boys 
eagerly  entered  and  took  their  seats.  What  was  their* 
disappointment,  upon  receiving  an  order,  just  on  the 
point  of  departure,  to  disembark — "the  Regiment  must 
be  finally  discharged  and  paid  off  in  Elmira."  Choking 
their  indignation  as  best  they  could,  they  vacated  the 
cars,  fell  into  line,  and  marched  away  for  their  new  quar 
ters.  As  they  tramped  through  the  city,  they  could  not 
help  but  observe  with  indignation,  that  the  loyal  citizens 
looked  upon  them  with  cold  and  selfish  eyes,  as  though 
they  were  a  gang  of  rebel  prisoners.  There  were  no 
words  of  welcome  there ;  there  were  no  fluttering  'ker 
chiefs,  no  smiling  faces,  no  joyful  shouts,  such  as  they 
had  often  met  in  Maryland  and  Pennsylvania.  What 
was  the  horror  of  the  men  to  find  that  in  their  own  loyal 
State,  the  infamous  bounty-broker  had  made  the  self- 
sacrificing  soldier  nothing  but  a  creature  of  pecuniary 
gain. 

After  a  inarch  of  about  a  mile,  the  Regiment  arrived 
at  Barracks  No.  1.  The  wide  gates  were  open  to  receive 
them,  which,  when  they  had  entered,  were  firmly  closed, 


494  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

and  the  men  found  themselves  in  a  second  Andersonville. 
What  was  there  to  be  found  in  a  rebel  prison-pen,  that 
did  not  have  its  counterpart  in  this  horrid  enclosure  ? 
There  was  the  high  stockade,  with  pacing  sentinels  on  its 
summit.  There  were  the  pestilential  heaps  of  filth,  and 
sloughs  of  green  water.  There  were  the  rough  struc 
tures,  reeking  with  diseased  matter,  and  alive  with  ver 
min.  There  were  the  scanty  rations  of  putrid  meat  and 
wormy  bread.  As  our  men,  for  the  first  time  during 
their  service,  discovered  that,  like  culprits,  they  were 
placed  under  the  guard  of  other  troops,  they  raised  a 
terrible  howl  of  indignation,  and  were  it  not  for  the  kind 
promises  made  by  the  Colonel,  they  would  quickly  have 
made  a  ruin  of  this  revolting  pen  of  bounty-jumpers  and 
brokers.  Arrangements  were  at  once  made  whereby  the 
boys  could  obtain  free  access  to  the  outside  world.  t 

The  officers  took  up  their  quarters  at  the  Brainard 
House.  Now  every  one  was  anxious  to  be  immediately 
discharged  and  paid  oft';  but  the  more  impatient  they  be 
came,  the  further  removed  seemed  the  day  of  their  de 
liverance.  The  men  longed  for  the  comforts,  to  say  noth 
ing  of  the  luxuries,  with  which  they  were  surrounded, 
but  their  money  was  gone.  There  is  one  bright  spot  in 
the  recollection  of  the  boys,  connected  with  their  other 
wise  unhappy  detention  at  Elmira.  Through  the  agency 
of  a  lady  of  the  Sanitary  Commission,  they  received  a 
quantity  of  that  indispensable  article  to  the  soldier — 
tobacco — which  one  morning,  in  lieu  of  quinine,  was 
dosed  out  at  Surgeon's  call. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  all  the  public  property  of  the 
Regiment  was  turned  over  to  the  receiving  officer  of  the 
post.  The  men  piled  up  their  shelters,  knapsacks,  haver 
sacks  and  canteens,  and  left  them  to  be  counted  by  the 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  495 

clerks.  What  affected  them  most  was  to  part  with  their 
muskets,  which  had  been  their  dear  companions  and  pro 
tectors  through  many  a  weary  campaign.  But  the  order 
was  inexorable,  and  they  must  relinquish  their  glistening, 
well-polished  pets.  As  they  turned  and  walked  away, 
they  felt  a  strange  and  lonely  sensation,  being  deprived 
of  all  their  appurtenances  and  equipments,  with  nothing 
on  their  backs  save  their  blouses. 

After  a  long  delay,  on  the  morning  of  Saturday,  the 
17th  of  June,  the  men  were  paid  by  Major  King,  at 
the  barracks,  and  received  their  discharge  papers.  The 
last  thread  that  connected  them  with  the  Government 
was  severed,  and  now  there  was  nothing  to  prevent  thtfm 
from  hastening  to  the  embrace  of  their  families.  As  the 
train  was  moving  from  the  depot,  one  of  those  sad  acci 
dents  occurred  which  always  come  to  sadden  and  dampen 
the  spirits  in  times  of  great  rejoicing.  George  Agard,  a 
member  of  Company  B,  in  jumping  upon  the  platform, 
fell  between  the  cars  and  was  instantly  crushed  to  death. 
Having  escaped  the  perils  of  three  years'  service,  an  un 
accountable  fate  called  him  away  immediately  after  he 
had  pocketed  his  discharge. 

At  6  o'clock  the  train  arrived  at  Binghamton.  The 
people,  although  taken  by  surprise,  turned  out  en  masse 
to  greet  the  Regiment.  A  bountiful  repast  was  quickly 
provided  for  the  hungry  men,  by  the  ladies  of  the  Sol 
diers'  Relief  Association.  Tables  were  set  across  the 
street  from  the  depot,  and  were  loaded  down  under  the 
weight  of  good  things.  The  kind  citizens  of  Bingham 
ton,  and  especially  the  ladies,  will  never  be  forgotten  by 
the  boys. 

Not  able  to  proceed  further  that  night,  they  were  di 
rected  to  secure  for  themselves  lodging  wherever  they 


496  RECORD  OF  TUB  ONE  HUNDRED 

might  find  it.  Hotels  were  soon  filled;  some  spread 
their  blankets  upon  the  platform  of  the  depot ;  others 
made  themselves  comfortable  beds  in  the  ears. 

"  Now  spread  the  night  her  spangled  canopy, 
And  summoned  every  restless  eye  to  sleep." 

After  an  hour's  ride  in  the  morning,  they  arrived  at 
Chenango  Forks.  Here  they  met  a  delegation  of  the 
town's  people  of  Greene,  with  a  large  collection  of 
farmers'  wagons  and  coaches,  ready  to  transport  them  to 
the  above  village.  Soon  they  were  trundling  over  the 
road,  enjoying  the  delightful  prospect  of  the  hills,  forests 
and  farms  of  the  valley  of  old  Chenango.  Although  it 
was  Sunday,  the  inhabitants  turned  out  by  the  road-side, 
and  bestowed  enthusiastic  demonstrations  of  welcome 
upon  the  returned  veterans.  About  noon  they  arrived 
near  the  village  of  Greene,  when  they  were  met  by  a 
procession  of  citizens,  who  escorted  them  into  town. 
With  the  music  of  their  martial  band,  preceded  by  a 
fire  company  in  uniform,  they  proudly  trod  the  streets, 
amid  the  booming  of  cannon,  and  the  glad  shouts  of  the 
people  who  thronged  the  Avay-side.  They  passed  under 
a  beautiful  arch  of  evergreens,  spanning  the  street,  and 
bearing  the  motto  : 

"  OCEAN  FIRE  COMPANY  WELCOMES  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 
AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT." 

Flags  and  floral  adornments  were  suspended  from  the 
buildings,  among  which  the  men  discovered,  here  and 
there,  the  names  of  their  victorious  battles  inscribed  in 
evergreen  letters.  In  front  of  Jutland's  Bank,  an  im 
mense  flag  was  hung  across  the  street,  which  bore  this 
sentiment : 

"VICTORY  HAS  BROUGHT  PEACE." 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  497 

So  generous  a  reception  the  men  had  never  anticipated. 
Arriving  at  the  square  in  front  of  the  Chenaugo  House, 
the  Regiment  was  formed  into  column  by  division,  when 
it  was  welcomed  in  a  beautiful  and  touching  speech  by 
R.  P.  Barnard,  Esq.  He  alluded  in  terms  of  gratitude 
to  their  past  achievements,  and  feelingly  referred  to  their 
gallant  dead.  In  behalf  of  the  assembled  people,  he 
thanked  them  for  their  glorious  efforts  to  preserve  the 
Republic,  and  congratulated  them  over  the  success  of  the 
war.  After  a  brief  response  by  Colonel  Per  Lee,  the 
Regiment  re-formed  its  line  and  marched  to  Union  Hall, 
where,  to  the  surprise  of  the  boys,  they  found  a  sumptuous 
repast  spread  before  them,  by  the  good  ladies  of  the 
town.  They  said  that  it  was  "  the  first  good  square  meal " 
they  had  enjoyed  since  entering  the  service,  and  it  is 
needless  to  say  that  they  surprised  their  fair  attendants 
with  some  remarkable  appetites.  Suspended  in  the  Hall 
was  this  motto : 

•;TlIE  ONLY    DEBT    WE    CAN   NEVER   PAY,  IS    THE    DEBT    WE 
OWE    OUR    VICTORIOUS    SOLDIERS." 

Referring  to  the  occasion,  the*  Chenaugo  American 
said:  "Dinner  over,  the  soldiers  mingled  with  the  citi 
zens  and  people  from  abroad,  who  were  present,  meeting 
with  hearty  cheers  and  congratulations  on  all  hands.  At 
about  6  P.  M.,  the  boys  started  for  Oxford — some  in 
wagons,  but  the  greater  portion  on  a  boat  which  was 
chartered  for  the  purpose — leaving  in  high  spirits,  and 
loud  in  their  cheers  and  expressions  of  good  will  for  the 
people  of  Greene." 

When  darkness  settled  down  upon  the  fertile  fields  of 
the  valley,  the  men  were  being  slowly  dragged  forward 
upon  the  sluggish  waters  of  the  canal.  Their  locomotive 


498  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

power  consisted  in  part  of  a  couple  of  mules,  which, 
having  closed  a  brilliant  career  in  the  army,  had  now  by 
common  consent  acquired  the  rank  of  horses  by  brevet. 

At  3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  the  thunder  of  cannon 
and  the  ringing  of  bells  announced  their  arrival  at 
Oxford.  The  unseasonableness  of  the  hour,  when  all 
nature  was  wrapped  in  darkness,  did  not  deter  the  hospi 
table  people  of  that  town  from  conferring  upon  the  men  the 
most  generous  welcome.  In  sleepless  vigilance  they  had 
watched  the  live-long  night  for  the  arrival  of  the  Regi 
ment,  and  now  they  gave  unmistakable  proofs  of  their 
joy  in  being  able  to  exhibit  their  gratitude  to  their  re 
turned  braves.  A  large  concourse  of  people  had  already 
assembled,  who  gave  cheer  upon  cheer  in  honor  to  the 
soldiers.  Immediately  the  line  was  formed,  and  headed 
by  an  excellent  brass  band,  the  men  were  escorted  to 
Lewis'  Hall,  where  they  sat  down  to  a  table  loaded  with 
the  choicest  delicacies,  and  where  beautiful  ladies  vied 
with  each  other  in  ministering  to  the  comforts  of  their 
honored  guests.  The  men  humbly  felt  that  their  past 
exploits  were  more  than  compensated  by  the  flattering 
treatment  received  in  Oxford.  At  the  close  of  the  feast 
the  boys  tried  to  express  their  thanks  the  best  they  could, 
by  hearty  and  prolonged  cheers  for  the  donors.  But  the 
kind  ladies  were  not  content  with  providing  a  single 
meal.  Another,  and  if  possible  more  liberal  repast,  was 
set  before  them  at  9  o'clock  in  the  morning.  At  that 
hour,  under  escort  of  the  Oxford  Band  and  the  Regi 
mental  Band,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  again 
moved  to  the  Hall.  The  names  of  all  the  battles  in 
which  the  Regiment  had  borne  apart? were  conspicuously 
displayed,  and  also  the  names  of  Oxford's  heroic  dead. 
Men  who  could  withstand  unmoved  the  shock  and  furor 


AND  FOURTEENTH  KKCmUUTT.  490 

of  battle,  bitterly  wept  when  they  read  upon  the  walls 
the  fate  of  Washburn,  Aylesworth  and  Greene,  Bush, 
Brown  and  Bartholomew,  Church,  Havens  and  Holmes, 
Ensworth,  Newton  and  Nichols,  Freebum  and  Wilbur 
Young. 

After  breakfast  was  finished,  Horace  Packer,  Esq.,  on 
behalf  of  the  Citizens'  Committee,  introduced  Hon. 
William  H.  Hyde,  who  welcomed  Colonel  Per  Lee  and 
the  Regiment  in  an  eloquent  and  affecting  address.  Mr. 
Hyde  recounted  the  battle  scenes  through  which  the 
Regiment  had  passed,  and  paid  a  glowing  tribute  to  its 
patriotism  and  valor.  He  assured  the  men  that  their 
services  in  the  glorious  cause  of  liberty  were  appreciated 
by  the  people  of  Chenango,  and  that  their  labors,  and 
sufferings,  and  privations,  would  be  treasured  and  cherish 
ed  in  admiring  and  grateful  hearts.  His  allusions  to  the 
comrades  they  left  behind  on  the  field  of  death,  excited 
in  all  hearts  a  feeling  of  sympathy,  for  those  who  loved 
them  while  living,  and  who  appreciated  their  devotion 
to  their  country  when  they  went  forth  to  [offer  up  their 
lives  for  her  deliverance.  The  address  of  Mr.  Hyde 
was  briefly  responded  to  by  the  Colonel,  after  which,  in 
response  to  a  toast  to  the  Ladies,  Major  Curtis  replied 
with  good  effect. 

We  close  the  account  of  the  entertainment,  in  the  lan 
guage  of  the  Oxford  Times  : 

"  A  sentiment  in  honor  of  the  fallen  braves  of  the  Regiment,  fol 
lowed  by  a  dirge  from  the  Band,  all  standing,  drew  tears  from  many 
an  eye,  and  told  with  silent  but  eloquent  effect  upon  the  bronzed  and 
furrowed  features  of  living  veterans.  On  behalf  of  the  ladies,  a 
bouquet  was  presented  t^  each  Captain  for  his  Company,  and  to  each 
commissioned  officer,  not  forgetting  Dr.  Beecher,  whose  brief  acknowl 
edgment  of  the  favor  evinced  that  the  rigors  of  war  have  not  dried  up 
the  springs  of  humor  and  sentiment  in  his  nature.  With  cheer  upon 


500  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

cheer  for  the  ladies,  and  the  quickening-  impulse  of  Yankee  Boodle  by 
the  Band,  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment  dissolved  out 
of  view,  and  their  final  visit  became  a  matter  of  local  history.  The 
orderly,  quiet  and  temperate  bearing  of  our  returned  veterans, 
although  removed  from  military  restraint,  and  their  self-respect  and 
regard  for  public*  order,  were  the  subject  of  frequent  and  deserved 
praise.  Long  may  they  live  to  enjoy  the  rights  and  liberties  which 
they  have  so  nobly  vindicated  by  their  heroism,  ami  to  add  to  the 
renown  of  arms,  the  highest  rewards  of  honorable  and  honored 
citizenship." 

In  a  large  number  of  vehicles,  the  Regiment  was 
rapidly  carried  to  Korwich.  Every  mile  of  the  road  was 
but  a  continual  ovation,  and  it  appeared  to  the  men  that 
their  entire  journey  through  the  Chenango  Valley  was  a 
grand  triumphal  procession. 

At  12  o'clock,  cannon  and  bells  denoted  their  proximity 
to  the  rendezvous  they  left  three  years  before.  At  the 
Canasawacta  bridge  they  leaped  from  the  wagons  and 
fell  into  line,  when  they  were  supplied  with  muskets  by 
Colonel  L.  A.  Rhodes,  from  the  Armory  of  the  One 
Hundred  and  Third  Regiment  N.  G.  S.  K  Y.  Under 
the  marshalship  of  Captain  R.  A.  Stanton  and  G.  H.  Spry, 
the  procession  was  soon  formed,  and  marched  into  town 
in  the  following  order : 

1.  Brass  Band. 

2.  Committee  of  Arrangements. 

3.  Ladies'  Committee,  in  carriages. 

4.  Norwich  Fire  Department,  led  by  the  Martial  Band. 

5.  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  led  by  its  own  Band.     - 

6.  Disabled  and  wounded  Soldiers,  in  carriages. 

7.  The  Teachers  and  Students  of  the  Academy,  and  other  Schools. 

8.  Citizens  and  strangers. 

To  the  music  of  the  bands  were  added  the  louder  tones 
of  cannon  and  village  bells,  and  the  welcome  shouts  of 


AJNfD  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  501 

hundreds  of  men,  women  and  children  that  thronged  the 
streets. 

Fathers  and  mothers,  brothers  and  sisters,  were  stand 
ing  by  the  roadside,  eagerly  looking  for  the  long  absent 
soldier-boys.  There  were  many  fond  Embraces,  and 
hearty  hand-shakings,  and  familiar  words  of  endearment, 
as  that  joyous  procession  moved  forward.  But  alas  I 
there  were  also  many  tearful  eyes  gazing  upon  the  thin 
and  shattered  ranks  of  the  Regiment.  Sorrowful  faces 
were  there  which  looked  in  vain  for  many  loved  forms 
that  were  lying  in  unmarked  graves  beneath  the  Southern 
soil. 

At  the  canal  bridge  on  South  Main  Street,  the  men 
marched  under  an  elegant  arch  of  evergreens,  bearing 
this  motto : 

"  WELCOME  THE  BRAVE  DEFENDERS  OF  OUR  UNION." 

Arriving  at  the  Public  Square,  they  found  it  tilled  with 
a  multitude  of  people.  Forming  by  divisions,  the  Regi 
ment  moved  forward  at  double  quick,'  to  the  steps  of  tbe 
Court  House,  upon  whose  front  was  hung  this  beautiful 
sentiment : 

"  WITH  SORROW  FOR  THE  BRAVE  MEN  WHO  HAVE  FALJL- 

EN,     WITH      THANKSGIVING      FOR      VICTORY,     AND 

WITH    PRIDE  FOR    YOUR    ACHIEVEMENTS, 

WE       WELCOME      YOU       HOME." 

With  uncovered  heads  the  men  paid  devout  attention, 
while  the  Rev.  Samuel  Scoville,  in  becoming  terms,  offered 
thanks  to  the  Ruler  of  Nations,  for  the  return  of  Peace, 
and  impressively  implored  the  blessing  of  Almighty  God 
upon  those  who  had  come  back,  and  upon  the  families 
and  friends  of  those  who  had  fallen  in  the  strife.  Hon.. 
Lewis  Kingsley,  in  the  absence  of  Hon.  Demas  Tlubbard. 


502  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

who  was  expected  to  officiate,  made  the  welcome  address, 
which  was  a  model  of  excellence.  Concerning  it  the 
Chenango  Telegraph  said  : 

"Mr.  Kingsley  referred  to  the  mustering  in,  and  going  forth  of  the 
'Regiment  from  that  very  spot,  nearly  three  years  since,  and  followed 
them  in  their  various  wanderings,  during  the  years  and  months  that 
had  passed.  The  battle  of  Bisland  was  spoken  of,  the  daring  charge 
of  the  Regiment  at  Port  Hudson  was  depicted,  and  when  the  death  of 
their  leader,  Colonel  Smith,  was  referred  to,  (which  happened  two 
years  ago  that  very  day,)  we  noticed  many  an  eye  moisten.  The 
brave  achievements  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  in  the  valley 
of  the  Shenandoah  were  spoken  of,  and  Mr.  K.  closed  his  address  by 
welcoming,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Chenango  County,  the  brave 
boys  home  again. 

"  At  the  conclusion  of  the  speech,  the  cheers  of  the  vast  crowd 
showed  that  the  praise  bestowed  upon  the  Regiment  by  the  speaker 
was  well  approved  by  all." 

Colonel  Per  Lee  responded  in  a  short,  characteristic 
speech,  which  was  emphasized  at  its  termination  by  a 
Regimental  cheer. 

The  procession  then  re-formed  and  marched  to  Floral 
Hall,  which  had  been  beautifully  trimmed  and  prepared 
for  the  festal  day.  Upon  their  way,  they  passed  under 
another  arch  adorned  with  flowers  and  flags,  having  in 
the  center  the  figures  "114,"  and  bearing  the  inscription — 

"  OUR  PEOPLE'S  PRIDE." 

"  Four  immense  tables  had  been  prepared  by  the  ladies,  and  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  sat  down  to  the  most  gorgeous  dinner 
ever  spread  in  Chenango  County.  Nothing  in  the  substantial  lino 
was  wanting,  while  the  great  variety  of  pies,  cakes,  tfec.,  to  say  noth 
ing  of  the  luscious  strawberries  and  ice  cream,  was  enough  to  satisfy 
the  palate  of  the  most  epicurean  appetite.  Tastefully  arranged  bou. 
•-3 nets  graced  the  tables,  while  upon  either  side  neatly  draped  with 
-evergreens  were  the  names  of  the  battles  in  which  the  Regiment  had 


AND  FOURTEENTH  REGIMENT.  503* 

been  engaged.  Among  others  were  noticed  that  of  Port  Hudson, 
trimmed  in  deep  mourning,  above  which  hung  a  life-like  portrait  of 
Colonel  Smith,  together  with  his  sword  and  sash. 

"  At  the  table  all  ceremony  was  discarded.  The  boys  laid  hold  of 
the  provisions  with  a  relish,  and  the  table  Committee  of  ladies  and 
gentleman  vied  with  each  other  in  their  attentions  to  their  honored 
quests.  But  as  all  things  must  have  an  end,  so  did  the  eating,  and 
the  Regiment  separated  to  greet  warm  personal  friends  upon  every 
side." 

In  front  of  the  Eagle  Hotel  was  suspended  over  the 
street  a  large  flag  which  was  emblazoned  with  the  names 
of  the  principal  battles  in  which  the  One  Hundred  and' 
Fourteenth  had  been  engaged.  A  national  flag  was  also 
suspended  over  the  street  from  the  Noyes  House ;  and 
flags  and  banners  and  mottoes  waved  a  welcome  from, 
many  places,  both  public  and  private. 

The  Chenango  Union  closed  a  graphic  article  upon 
that  occasion,  in  these  words :  "  With  all  others  we  say  :. 
Honor — all  honor — to  the  heroes  of  the  One  Hundred 
and  Fourteenth.  Let  neither  them  nor  their  brave  deeds 
be  forgotten ! " 

It  was  anticipated  that  a  dress-parade  would  be  held  in- 
the  evening,  but  such  was  the  eagerness  of  the  men  to 
reach  their  homes,  that  many  of  those  who  lived  in  the 
immediate  neighborhood  of  Norwich,  departed  immedi 
ately  after  the  reception.  At  night  the  disbanded  soldiers 
dispersed  among  the  hotels  and  private  residences,  and 
rested  their  weary  bodies  for  the  morning's  journey. 

In  the  morning,  they  met  for  the  last  time,  in  Floral 
Hall,  when  they  partook  of  a  bounteous  breakfast.  As 
they  bade  each  other  a  final  good-bye,  it  was  the  most 
affecting  scene  the  men  had  ever  experienced.  Amid 
hand-shakings  and  tears,,  they  jumped  aboard  wagons- 
and  moved  away  to  their  respective  townships.  That 


504  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

evening,  in  Otselic,  Cazenovia  and  other  towns,  the  dif 
ferent  Companies  were  welcomed  by  other  grand  recep 
tions. 

The  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth    Regiment  had  dis 
solved  and  forever  disappeared. 


Our  heroes  came  back,  not  with  garments  unstained, 
not  with  faces  unbronzed.  They  came  back,  not  Sunday 
soldiers,  but  veteran  campaigners,  accustomed  as  we  have 
seen  to  the  exposure  of  the  bivouac,  the  fatigue  of  the 
march,  the  poor  comfort  of  hard  tack,  the  storm  of 
battle,  and  the  suffering  of  sickness  and  wounds.  See 
how  they  watched  on  many  a  picket  line  the  movements 
-of  a  wily  foe ;  how  they  paced  their  weary  rounds  on 
guard,  on  many  a  wet  and  cheerless  night;  how  they 
went  through  the  smoke,  and  breasted  the  shock,  and 
turned  the  tide  of  hard-fought  fields.  See  their  faces 
browned  by  sun  and  rain  ;  see  them,  scarred,  and  worn, 
and  tattered ;  their  ranks,  how  thin,  for  they  have  left 
comrades  by  hundreds  behind  them,  to  enrich  the  soil 
where  they  fell.  See  their  banner,  pierced  and  cut  into 
shreds,  but  amid  the  rents  of  the  red,  and  the  smoke- 
stains  of  the  white,  and  the  blood-stains  of  the  blue,  may 
be  discerned  the  gilded  names  of  the  glorious  fields  where 
it  waved  in  triumph,  and  where,  as  it  floated  in  mid-air,  its 
stars  and  stripes  took  in  the  expiring  glance  of  many  a 
gallant  martyr  to  liberty.  These  weather-beaten  men, 
and  the  lost  ones  they  represent,  are  not  the  defenders 
merely,  but  the  saviors  of  the  Republic.  Think,  oh! 
think  of  what  they  have  done.  Think  of  the  ark  of  con 
stitutional  libertv  they  have  aided  to  rescue  from  assault. 


AND  FOUETEENTH  REGIMENT.  505 

Think  of  the  Union  they  have  helped  to  preserve,  with 
all  its  blessings,  all  its  memories,  and  all  its  hopes. 

The  cheers  and  huzzas  with  which  they  were  greeted, 
were  not  too  enthusiastic  ;  the  plaudits  and  congratula 
tions  which  were  showered  upon  them  were  not  too 
fervid ;  the  welcome  home  was  not  too  heart-felt.  For 
what  they  liave  done  in  the  line  of  duty,  for  what  they 
abstained  from  doing  in  revenge,  for  what  they  have  toiled 
and  suffered,  and  for  what  their  comrades  have  died,  this 
people  and  their  posterity  can  never  be  too  grateful. 
Their  place  in  history  will  compensate  them  for  their 
sufferings  and  toils,  and  will  be  a  precious  legacy  to 
transmit  to  their  offspring.  Oh  !  God  bless  and  comfort 
them  and  theirs.  May  the  future  of  their  lives  be  happy 
and  well  spent,  and  their  crowning  reward  a  glorious 
immortality. 

What  shall  we,  what  can  we  say,  to  console  those 
bleeding  hearts,  those  desolated  homes,  which  have 
waited  in  vain  for  the  day  of  return  ?  What  can  we 
say  for  those  among  us  who  wept  when  news  of  peace 
came,  because  of  their  beloved  who  had  longed  for  but 
did  not  live  to  see  that  day — who  had  suffered  through 
the  darkness,  and  had  died  before  the  morning  dawn  ? 
Alas !  the  anguish  of  such  waiting,  wThen  waiting  is  in 
vain.  "  If  he  had  but  lived  to  come  back  with  them — 
even  scarred  and  wounded — if  he  had  only  come  back  !  " 

"  No  longer  may  I  hopeful  wait 

For  summer  to  restore  ; 
My  heart  and  home  are  desolate — 
My  soldier  comes  no  more." 

With  mingled  feelings  of  joy  and  sorrow,  the  author 
brings  his  labors  to  a  close ;  of  pleasure,  that  he  has  been 
enabled  to  accomplish  so  much,  though  not  without 


506  RECORD  OF  THE  ONE  HUNDRED 

imperfections ;  of  sadness,  because  of  those  who  went 
out  with  us  to  come  back  no  more  forever.  But  their 
fame  is  assured — no  paltry  tribute  of  ours  can  add  to 
their  honor.  In  the  most  sacred  niche  of  "  fame's  proud 
temple"  their  names  are  inscribed,  never  to  be  obliterated 
while  America  lives.  What  else  can  we  dq,  for  them  ? 
Care  for  their  widows  and  their  orphans ;  point  our 
children  to  their  acts  of  valor ;  tell  them  how  they  "  dared 
the  deed  and  shared  the  danger; "  instill  into  their  minds 
the  principles  for  which  they  died,  and  teach  them,  for 
the  sake  of  the  long  list  of  patriot  slain,  the  value  of 
free  institutions — the  benefits  and  blessings  of  a  RESTORED 
UNION. 

"  Now  civil  wounds  are  stopp'd — Peace  lives  again  : 
That  she  may  long  live  here,  God  say — Amen." 


\ 
APPENDIX. 


i. 

MEMORIAL  SKETCHES. 

COLONEL  ELJSHA  BROWN  SMITH. 

The  ancestors  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch  were  of  English  descent, 
and  emigrated  to  Rhode  Island  about  the  time  of  the  settlement  of 
Providence,  by  Roger  Williams.  The  lineage  upon  the  paternal  side 
is  nearly  related  to  the  Rev.  Charles  Brown,  who  came  over  with 
Williams,  and  was  the  first  Baptist  clergyman  in  the  Colony. 

Benjamin  Smith  came  from  Rhode  Island,  to  Whitestown,  Oneida 
County,  about  the  year  1800.  He  had  three  daughters,  a  Mrs.  Samuel 
Ladd,  late  of  Sherburne,  Mrs.  Winsor  Coman,  of  Eaton,  one  never 
married,  and  one  son  by  the  name  of  Elisha.  Elisha  Smith  settled 
in  Greene,  N.  Y.,  about  the  year  1803.  He  was  sub-agent  of  the 
Lord  Hornby  property,  an  immense  landed  estate  located  in  the 
south-west  part  of  Chenango  County.  He  was  called  the  father  of  the 
settlement  of  the  Hornby  estate,  himself  clearing  off  large  tracts  of 
land.  He  kept  a  small  store  in  Greene,  and  supplied  the  early  settlers, 
who  were  generally  poor,  with  grain  and  other  necessaries  of  life. 
His  generosity  was  proverbial.  From  1804  to  1808  or  '9,  he  was 
Judge  of  the  County  Court,  and  a  magistrate  about  the  same  length 
of  time.  In  18  JO,  Judge  Smith  married  Adosha,  daughter  of  Judge 
Wattles,  of  Unadilla.  Tn  1813  they  removed  to  Norwich.  Fonr  eons 

88 


508  APPKND1X. 

and  two  daughters  svere  the  fruits  of  their  marriage,  all  of  whom  art- 
dead  except  Charles  Benjamin. 

Elisha  Brown  Smith,  the  third  child,  and  the  elder  son,  was  born  iji 
Norwich,  February  17th,  1817.  There  was  nothing  in  particular  t° 
distinguishjiis  early  life  from  that  of  other  boys  who  are  obliged  to 
work  their  way  up  under  adverse  circumstances.  With  biit  a  limited 
education,  yet  possessed  of  much  native  shrewdness  and  good  sense, 
prepossessing  in  his  appearance,  and  courteous  in  his  address,  while- 
still  quite  young,  various  offices  of  trust  were  conferred  upon  him,  and 
he  gradually  grew  into  the  confidence  of  the  public. 

In  1844  he  was  appointed  Urider  Sheriff  of  the  County,  which  office 
he  retained  for  about  three  years.  In  1846  he  was  elected  a  Delegate- 
to  the  Convention  to  amend  the  Constitution  of  the  State,  and  in  1847 
was  the  Candidate  on  the  Democratic  ticket  for  the  office  of  Canal 
Commissioner.  In  1848  he  was  a  Delegate  to  the  National  Conven 
tion  held  in  Baltimore,  which  resulted  in  the  nomination  to  the  Presi 
dency  of  Lewis  Cass.  In  1852  he  was  the  Democratic  candidate  for 
Congress  in  the  District  of  -which  Chenango  formed  a  part,  and  came 
within  a  few  votes  of  an  election.  In  the  spring  of  1852  he  was  com 
missioned  Postmaster  of  Norwich,  which  position  he  held  for  a  year 
and  a  half.  In  September,  1840,  he  was  married  to  Lucinda  P., 
daughter  of  the  late  Whitman  Willcox,  Esq.,  of  Norwich. 

General  Bruce  declining  to  accept  the  appointment  tendered  him  by 
the  War  Committee,  in  July,  1862,  as  commandant  of  the  Regiment  to 
be  raised  in  the  23d  Senatorial  District,  Elisha  B.  Smith,  unsolicited 
upon  his  part,  was  at  once  recommended.  After  prayerfully  deciding 
what  was  his  duty  in  answer  to  the  calls  of  his  country,  he  threw  his 
whole  soul  into  the  work  of  recruiting  his  Regiment,  and  fitting  him 
self  for  the  responsible  duties  that  devolved  upon  him.  The  result 
was,  that  in  less  than  four  weeks  a  Regiment  one  thousand  and  forty 
strong,  composed  of  the  best  men  of  the  County,  were  in  readiness 
for  the  seat  of  Avar.  On  the  6th  of  September  it  took  its  departure. 
Its  history  is  but  a  counterpart  of  the  history  of  its  commander,  from 
that  time  to  the  day  he  fell. 

Whatever  position  he  occupied,  whatever  duties  he  was  called  upon 
to  discharge,  however  trying  the  circumstances,  he  was  the  same  kind- 
hearted  officer,  the  same  genial  friend.  It  is  not  necessary  to  claim 
for  Colonel  Smith  qualities  that  he  did  not  possess.  He  had  not  re 
ceived  a  military  education,  and  it  is  not  Jtsserted  that  he  was  a  great 


APPENDIX.  509 

military  man.  Indeed,  time  and  opportunity  were  not  permitted  him 
to  develope  his  capabilities,  or  the  power  and  extent  of  his  military 
genius.  Others,  we  know,  not  more  promising  or  conspicuous  in  the 
beginning,  have  acquired  national  renown.  In  the  ever-varying  for 
tunes  of  the  war,  had  he  lived,  it  is  not  difficult  to  conceive  of  brilliant 
achievements,  in  the  expanding  career  before  him. 

It  was  the  fortune  of  the  writer  (being  in  charge  of  a  Post  Hospital 
at  Berwick  City)  to  see  much  of  Colonel  Smith,  during  the  time  inter 
vening  between  the  battle  of  Fort  Bisland  and  the  siege  of  Port  Hud 
son.  In  the  seclusion  and  quietude  of  the  sick  chamber,  during  his 
illness  last  preceding  his  fall,  there  WAS  a  communion,  a  companionship, 
it  is  seldom  one's  privilege  to  enjoy.  Of  his  family,  which  he  devoted 
ly  love,d,  he  spoke  most  tenderly — of  himself,  calmly  and  freely.  He 
said  he  had  thought  it  all  over ;  his  mind  was  fully  prepared ;  his 
arrangements  were  all  made ;  he  was  in  readiness  for  whatever  might 
befall  him.  In  fact,  he  seemed  to  have  taken  a  rational  and  philosophic 
view  of  the  vicissitude's  and  casualties  of  war,  as  perhaps  few  have 
done ;  considered  what  might  be  the  end,  from  the  beginning,  and  like 
a  wise  man,  prepared  himself  for  it.  He  was  ready,  and  if  necessary 
willing,  to  make  the  soldier's  last  sad  sacrifice. 

His  attachment  to  his  Regiment  was  unbounded.  With  all  the 
tenderness  of  his  loving  nature,  with  the  solicitude  and  anxiety  of  a 
father  or  a  brother,  he  cared  for  his  men,  extending  aid  and  sympathy 
in  all  their  troubles  and  trials.  He  looked  upon  his  soldiers  as  his 
children  ;  they  looked  up  to  him  as  a  child  to  a  parent.  In  his  anxiety 
to  be  with  his  command — from  which  he  had  been  separated  by  seri 
ous  illness — against  the  advice  of  his  Surgeon,  he  hastened  to  join  it, 
only  a  few  days  before  the  fatal  14th  of  June.  His  men  immediately 
went  to  work  to  build  for  him  ia  the  woods  a  cottage  of  trees  and 
boughs,  and  covered  it  with  canvas.  One  day,  while  standing  look 
ing  admiringly  upon  it,  a  fellow-officer  riding  past  made  the  remark: 
"  You  have  a  nice  house,  Colonel."  "  Yes,"  says  the  Colonel,  "  but  it 
is  not  likely  I  shall  occupy  it  long."  How  prophetic  were  those 
words ! 

The  result  of  that  terrible  day  has  passed  into  history,  and  the 
names  and  deeds  of  those  who  participated  in  that  fearful  struggle 
have  become  matters  of  record.  There  were  none  truer,  braver, 
nobler,  more  patriotic,  that  day,  than  Colonel  Elisha  B.  Smith. 
Temporarily  in  command  of  Weitzel's  daring  old  Brigade,  he  fell  at 


510  APPENDIX. 

its  head  mortally  wounded,  leading  in  the  charge.  He  was  carried 
upon  a  litter  to  the  Brigade  Hospital,  in  the  woods,  where  with  others 
lie  received  all  the  attention  it  was  possible  to  bestow. 

To  show  his  concern  for  his  men,  himself  wounded  unto  death,  a 
single  instance  is  worthy  of  mention.  Shortly  after  Colonel  Smith, 
Captain  Searles  was  brought  into  the  hospital,  terribly  wounded  in 
several  places,  the  blood  gushing  from  his  mouth.  He  was  placed  up 
on  the  table,  examined,  and  laid  aside  to  die.  Presently  the  Colonel 
inquired  for  Captain  Searles.  When  told  of  his  condition,  and  the 
probable  result,  he  urged  upon  the  Surgeon  and  Colonel  Per  Lee  that 
he  be  brought  back  and  re-examined.  It  was  done,  and  to-day  the 
Captain  acknowledges  the  saving  6f  his  life  to  his  dying  Colonel. 

During  the  few  days  that  intervened  ere  the  lamp,  flickering  in  its 
socket,  was  extinguished,  Colonel  Smith,  perfectly  aware  of  his 
situation,  was  as  peaceful  and  serene  as  the  ocean  unruffled  by  a 
wave.  He  was  comforted  and  sustained  by  the  beautiful  and  in 
spiring  thought,  that  though  he  and  his  brave  comrades  might 
perish,  the  Nation  would  still  survive.  His  faith  was  stayed  ou 
God.  He  said  that  although  he  had  never  made  a  public  profes 
sion  of  religion,  although  he  had  not  lived  in  the  popular  accepta 
tion  the  life  of  the  devoted  Christian,  he  felt  that  he  was  sustained  by 
the  arm  of  Him  "  who  doeth  all  things  well." 

A  little  past  the  hour  of  midnight,  on  the  morning  of  the  19th,  in 
the  solemn  wood,  surrounded  by  his  soldiers  and  a  few  personal 
friends,  his  spirit  took  its  flight,  and  returned  to  God  who  gave  it, 
His  exit  was  calm  and  trustful — his  end  was  peace.  He  fell  asleep 
gently  as  a  child,  like  one 

"  Who  wraps  the  drapery  of  his  couch 
Around  him,  and  lies  down  to  pleasant  dreams." 

His  men  shed  tears  of  anguish  when  they  thought  that  they  should 
never  look  upon  his  like  again  in  the  flesh,  but  they  were  consoled  in 
the  cheering  reflection  that  their  loss  was  his  gain,  and  that  they 
might  find  him  an  inhabitant  of  that  imperishable  temple,  secure  from 
sieges,  and  conflicts,  and  war,  into  which  death  cannot  intrude,  and 
where  life  and  bliss  will  be  immortal  and  eternal.  His  body  was 
taken  to  New  Orleans,  carefully  encoffined  and  sent  North,  in  charge 
of  an  officer,  to  be  emtombed  in  his  own  native  village,  in  the  burial 
place  of  his  fathers. 


APPENDIX.  511 

t 

•  A  telegram  informed  the  people  of  Chenango  valley  that  the  steamer 
bearing  the  remains  of  Colonel  Smith  had  arrived  in  New  York.  At 
Chenango  Forks  a  delegation  of  citizens  awaited  the  arrival  of  the 
body,  to  escort  it  to  Norwich.  As  the  mournful  cortege  moved  up  the 
valley,  011  Friday  afternoon,  July  10th,  the  road  was  lined  with  people, 
who  with  sad  countenances  and  tearful  eyes  had  ceased  from  their 
labors  to  view  the  sad  spectacle.  Both  at  Greene  and  Oxford  the 
shops  and  stores  were  closed,  and  the  whole  population,  with  civic 
societies  and  fire  companies,  turned  out  in  large  processions,  to  escort 
the  remains  through  their  respective  villages.  The  tolling  of  bell? 
and  the  discharge  of  minute  guns  in  both  villages,  added  to  the 
solemnity  of  the  occasion.  Early  in  the  evening,  the  bodyH  with  its 
escort,  reached  the  outskirts  of  Norwich.  Church  bells  and  deep-toned 
cannon  summoned  the  people  to  join  the  procession  that  was  con 
ducting  the  remains  into  the  town.  Stores  and  shops  were  immedi 
ately  closed,  flags  were  lowered  at  half-mast,  and  everything  gave  ev 
idence  of  the  gloom  that  pervaded  the  breasts  of  the  people. 

The  family  had  anticipated,  ere  long,  a  short  visit  from  the  hue 
band,  father  and  son.  He  came  s>oner  than  looked  for,  and  in  a 
very  mysterious  manner.  He  came,  attended  by  a  large  retinue— 
not  in  the  garb  of  a  laurel-crowned  conqueror,  but  decked  in  the 
insignia  of  mortality.  He  came,  not  the  vigorous,  active,  living  be 
ing  who  departed  scarcely  a  year  before,  full  of  hope  and  of  promise. 
Instead  of  the  living  hero,  he  returned  upon  his  shield.  In  the 
mellow  sun-light  of  departing  day,  the  cortege  halted  before  the 
door  of  his  late  residence,  but  no  parent,  companion  or  son  entered 
the  dwelling. 

Amid  the  most  expressive  demonstrations  of  grief,  the  body  was, 
conveyed  to  the  Court  House,  where  it  was  laid  in  state  in  the 
centre  of  the  hall.  Here  the  coffin  remained  exposed  to  the  gaze 
of  throngs  of  tearful  friends,  till  Sunday  morning,  when  the  last 
opportunity  was  given  to  pay  their  respects  to  the  martyred  soldier. 
Upon  that  day  the  people  from  every  section  of  the  County  poured 
into  the  village,  in  carriages  and  on  foot,  to  participate  in  the 
burial  services.  Two  fire  companies  from  Oxford,  and  one  each 
from  Sherburne  and  Smyrna,  came  to  assist  in  the  impressive  cere 
monies.  Large  number  of  Masons  were  also  convened  from  Oxford, 
Ureene,  Sherburne  and  Hamilton,  to  pay  their  respects  to  a  deceased 
brother.  Before  the  services,  the  coffin  was  beautifully  draped,  and 


512  APPENDIX. 

gentle  liands  Lad  adorned  it  with  wreaths  and  flowers.  Upon  its 
top  it  bore  the  hat  and  sword  of  the  deceased.  Inscribed  upon  the 
coffin  plate  were  these  words  : 

Col.  E.  B.  SMITH,  114th  Reg't. 
Wounded  at  Port  Hudson, 

June  14th; 

Digd  the  19th,  1S63, 

"Aged  4G  years. 

At  1  P.  M.,  the  remains  were  removed  to  the  family  residence, 
where  short  religious  exercises  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Mr.  Scoville. 
The  funeral  procession  was  then  formed  under  the  superintendence 
of  George  Rider,  Esq.,  Marshal,  on  the  part  of  the  Masons,  and 
Colonel  Rhodes  on  the  part  of  the  citizens,  the  following  gentlemen, 
citizens  and  Masons,  acting  as  Pall  Hearers  :  H.  R.  Mygatt,  Rufus 
Chandler,  T.  J.  Noyes,  Walter  M.  Conkey,  B.  F.  Rexford,  P.  B. 
Prindle,  Ezra  Hewitt,  Warren  Newton,  Roswell  Curtiss,  Thomas 
Milner,  W.  P.  Noyes,  J.  W.  Weller,  Edward  Childs,  C.,  M.  Lewis 
N.  E.  Beals,  M.  Wicks,  J.  T.  Brennan,  J.  G.  Thompson,  B.  B.  An 
drews,  Lee  Talcott,  N.  P.  Wheeler,  Daniel  Cornell. 

The  vast  procession  moved  to  the  public  square,  the  hearse 
being  draped  with  the  American  Flag,  and  the  coffin  fully  exposed 
to  view.  A  solemn  and  affecting  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  A.  N. 
Benedict,  and  a  hymn  sung  by  the  united  choirs  of  Norwich,  when 
the  immense  audience  of  five  thousand  people  were  feelingly  address 
ed  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Scoville,  from  the  steps  of  the  Court  House. 
"  He  spoke  of  the  virtues  of  the  deceased,  of  the  love  and  respect 
entertained  for  him  in  this  community,  of  his  gallant  conduct  in 
battle,  of  his  honorable  career  as  a  soldier,  of  his  social  and  public 
worth,  of  his  Christian  character,  of  his  anticipated  return  on  a 
visit  to  his  family  during  the  present  month,  contrasting  it  with  the 
solemn  scene  then  before  him,  and  feelingly  alluded  to  that  other 
occasion,  less  than  a  year  since,  when,  prior  to  his  departure,  his 
friends,  neighbors  and  follow-citizens  assembled  in  nearly  equal 
numbers,  and  in  the  same  place,  to  present  him  with  •  a  war-horse 
and  trappings,  and  to  render  honor  to  him  as  the  living  soldier  in 
stead  of  the  dead  hero."  His  theme  was  the  sufferings  and  sacri 
fices  of  the  Savior. 

After  the  exercises  upon  the  public  square,  the  imposing  proces 
sion  re-formed,  and  moving  to  the  solemn  strains  of  music,  minute 


APPENDIX.  513 

guns  being  tired,  proceeded  to  the  village  cemetery.  The  body  was 
I'ommitted  to  the  earth,  according  to  the  beautiful  and  touching 
»-erenionies  of  the  Vlasonic  ritual.  Roswell  K.  Bourne,  Esq.,  Master 
of  the  Norwich  Lodge,  read  the  impressive  burial  service.  An  ap 
propriate  and  eloquent  closing  prayer  was  offered  by  Rev.  William 
Searls,  a  member  of  the  Order,  in  which  he  said  : 

"  Here  we  stand  by  the  grave  of  a  son  !  The  mother  that  cradled  him  in  infancy, 
stands  alone  upon  the  hill  of  yore,  waiting  for  the  gleaners  to  gather  her  to  that 
rest  in  Heaven.  Heielies  her  son,  stricken  down  in  the  high-noon  of  life.  She 
had  thought  that  his  arms  would  in  due  time  bear  her  to  the  grave,  and  place  the 
dust  most  ^  arefully  on  her  aged  breast.  But  to-day  she  weeps  that  those  hopes 
have  been  dashed  aside  and  her  sou— her  noble  son— is  dead.  Lord !  may  thy 
i>race  enable  her  to  say  '  Thy  will  be  done.' 

"  We  stand  beside  the  grave  of  a  husband.  Here,  in  mourning,  is  his  early  love 
—the  choice  of  his  youth — the  mother  of  his  children.  She  has  shared  with  him 
the  joy  and  sorrow  of  life.  Long  and  pleasant  has  been  their  journey  ;  but  it  is 
now  ended — though  not  their  love,  for  love  can  never  die.  She  gave  him  one  year 
ago  to  the  God  of  battles,  and  he  fell  in  the  thickest  of  the  strife. 

"We  stand  beside  the  grave  of  a  father.  Here  are  the  children  he  so  dearly 
loved.  These  tender  plants,  watered  so  often  by  the  fathers  tears,  weep  tears  ot 
keenest  sorrow  to-day.  Temper  the  winds  to  these  shorn  lambs — thou  God  of 
the  orphan  and  widow,  hear  our  prayer,  and  bless  these  afflicted  ones  ! 

"  We  stand  beside  the  grave  of  a  patriot.  These  weeping  thousands  tell  how 
dearly  he  was  beloved,  and  how  highly  esteemed.  These  tell  the  great  sacrifice  he 
made,  when  he  left  the  home  and  friends  of  his  youth,  in  response  to  the  call  of  his 
i.'ountry.  The  riderless  horse  tells  of  his  daring  in  the  field  ;  and  this  Fraternity, 
of  which  he  was  an  honored  member,  tell  <5f  his  generous  deeds  and  noble  heart." 

In  the  beautiful  valley  with  which  his  name  is  so  intimately  asso 
ciated,  we  leave  our  valiant  leader  in  the  grave  of  the  soldier. 
Around  him  the  everlasting  hills  keep  eternal  guard,  and  the 
unwavering  love  of  his  stricken  family  watches  with  tender  devo 
tion  his  sacred  dust.  Cycles  may  roll  their  untiring  rounds,  genera 
tions  may  pass  from  the  stage  of  action,  the  works  of  man  may 
crumble  and  decay,  but  the  name  of  Elisha  B.  Smith  will  still  be 
revered  and  honored.  His  fame  shall  grow  brighter  and  brighter, 
as  history  shall  more  fully  do  justice  to  his  memory,  and  as  remote 
ix)sterity  shall  proudly  repeat  the  traditions  of  these  days. 

"  He  was  the  noblest  Roman  of  them  all ; 
His  life  was  gentle,  and  the  elements 
So  mixed  in  him,  that  Nature  might  stand  up 
And  say  to  all  the  world,  tbie  was  a  man." 


514  APPENDIX. 

CAPTAIN  CHARLES  ELISHA  TUCKER. 

Charles  Elisha  Tucker  was  born  in  the  village  of  La  Porte, 
Indiana,  July  22d,  1841.  He  was  the  second  son  of  Rev.  Silas 
Tucker,  now  of  Logansport.  His  maternal  parent  was  Maria  D. 
Stow.  The  fact  of  his  older  brother  having  been  removed  by  death 
at  the  age  of  eighteen  months,  had  much  to  do  with  the  formation 
of  the  character  of  Charles,  as  it  led  his  parents  to  bestow  a  more 
careful  attention  upon  his  early  culture,  both  mentally  and  morally. 

Nature,  however,  had  laid  a  good  foundation  for  intellectual  im 
provement,  and  no  sooner  had  he  learned  to  articulate,  than  it  be 
came  a  favorite  pastime  of  his  father  to  learn  him  to  repeat  portion? 
of  scripture ;  and  at  the  early  age  of  two  years  he  would  repeat, 
without  being  prompted,  that  gem  of  inspiration,  the  19th  Psalm, 
with  an  enthusiasm  worthy  of  mature  years.  These  exercises 
strengthened  his  memory,  and  cultivated  in  him  a  taste  for  the  best 
literature,  which  proved  of  infinite  value  in  after  years.  Having 
access  to  books  at  all  times,  he  early  formed  an  extensive  acquaint 
ance  with  the  best  English  and  German  writers,  and  thus  had  in 
store  a  fund  from  which  he  was  able  to  draw  at  will,  both  in  con 
versation  and  declamation,  in  the  pulpit  or  on  the  rostrum. 

Preaching  and  holding  meetings  were  favorite  amusements  when 
a  mere  child  ;  and  on  one  occasion,  when  only  three  years  old,  as 
he  closed  a  discourse  to  a  group  of  his  mates,  he  said  to  them. 
"  Come,  now,  let  us  go  down  to  the  lake,  and  I  will  baptize  you  all." 
When  in  his  fifth  year,  he  became  exceedingly  interested  in  reading 
"  The  Attractions  of  the  Cross,"  by  Dr.  Spring,  and  would  sit  an 
hour  at  a  time,  attentively  looking  at  a  lithograph  representation 
of  the  Crucifixion,  and  reading  with  the  deepest  emotion.  When 
six  years  old,  in  the  absence  of  his  father,  he  requested  the  privilege 
of  saying  grace  at  the  table,  which  he  did  with  as  much  sincerity 
and  devotion  as  an  older  person  ;  but  it  was  not  until  twelve  years 
of  age  that  he  made  a  public  profession  of  religion. 

When  quite  young  he  commenced  the  studies  of  Latin  and  Ger 
man,  and  could  read  both  fluently  at  twelve.  At  fourteen  he  entered 
Knox  College,  at  Galesburgh,  Illinois,  where  he  acquitted  himself 
greatly  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  friends,  and  graduated  with  the 
honors  of  the  College,  a  few  days  before  he  completed  his  eighteenth 
year,  giving  an  oration  pronounced  by  the  Faculty  the  best  ever 


APPENDIX.  515 

delivered  by  any  student  of  that  College.  Till  after  he  graduated, 
he  had  determined  upon  the  law  as  a  profession,  though  deeply  im 
pressed  that  it  was  his  duty  to  enter  the  ministry,  his  father  and  all 
his  father's  brothers,  five  in  number,  being  Baptist  clergymen. 

Whatever  he  engaged  in,  whether  work,  study  or  sport,  absorbed 
for  the  time  being  all  his  energies.  He  was  strong  in  his  attach 
ments,  and  his  early  friends  were  never  forgetten  or  overlooked 
among  the  many  and  more  sincere  friendships  of  riper  years.  Hie 
filial  affection  was  unbounded,  and  in  the  family  he  was  all  that  the 
fondest  parent  could  desire.  Having  been  from  childhood  familiar 
with  the  current  events  of  our  political  history,  he  was  prepared  to 
enter  into  the  merits  of  the  national  struggle  for  the  preservation 
of  our  liberty,  with  all  the  enthusiasm  of  his  earnest  nature.  That 
he  comprehended  the  emergency  is  evident  from  his  several  speeches, 
and  particularly  from  his  graduating  oration,  delivered  in  the  sum 
mer  of  1860.  He  came  from  Revolutionary  sires.  His  grandfather 
Stow  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  a  younger  brother,  Alfred  B. 
Tucker,  in  the  late  war,  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Forty-Second 
Indiana. 

He  was  anxious  to  enter  the  contest  from  the  outset,  but  his 
father  could  not  consent  to  relinquish  his  favorite  purpose,  indulged 
in  for  years,  to  see  him  complete  his  preparation  Jor  future  useful 
ness  by  graduating  from  the  Theological  Department  of  Madison 
University.  That  done,  he  at  once  entered  upon  the  duty  of  enlist 
ing  men  for  'the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment.*  As  the 
result  of  his  labors  in  a  good  degree,  Company  G  was  recruited. 
He  addressed  war  meetings  in  different  localities,  and  his  eloquence 
and  the  force  of  his  logic,  connected  with  his  youthful  appear 
ance,  .attracted  crowds  of  admirers  wherever  he  went.  Without 
going  home  to  visit  his  parents,  thinking  he  might  obtain  a  leave 
when  once  in  camp,  he  accompanied  the  boys  to  Baltimore,  and 
subsequently  to  New  Orleans.  When  in  Louisiana,  he  was  asked 
if  he  would  not  resign  and  come  home,  if  the  war  did  not  close  in 
the  spring.  His  reply  was:  "I  shall  come  home  again,  but  by 
resignation,  never" 

That  he  was  devotedly  attached  with  a  brotherly  love  to  his  men. 

*  He  took  with  him  several  from  the  University — Underbill,  Corbin,  Sunny, 
Nichols,  Beebe,— all  of  whom,  but  Underbill  and  Beebe,  fell  in  the  service,  the 
latter  now  suffering  from  an  open  wound. 


516  APPENDIX. 

his  letters  to  his  parents  and  friends  afford  abundant  proof.  From 
the  many,  \ve  have  room  but  for  a  single  extract.  Under  date  of 
May  28th,  1863,  from  New  Orleans,  where  he  was  for  a  short  time 
on  sick  leave,  he  writes  :  "  We  start  to-morrow.  Our  Regiment 
will  be  down  some  time  in  the  night.  You  know,  dear  mother, 
'  Duke  et  decorum  est  pro  patria  mori.'  I  cannot  go  without  incon 
venience  just  now,  but  Nichols  says  Corbin  wants  me,  and  the 
t)oys  long  and  pray  for  the  Captain  to  rejoin  them.  HOAV  I  love 
those  boys,  and  I  will  stand  by  them  at  any  loss.  Good-bye, 
mother.  Good-bye,  all.  If  I  return,  all  right ;  if  not,  God  save  me, 
is  all  I  ask.  Aye,  it  is  heaven  in  place  of  ear  111." 

As  an  officer,  Captain  Tucker  early  acquired  distinction.  With 
a  mind  quick  to  comprehend  and  remember  theoretical  principles  of 
military,  he  was  not  long  in  putting  them  in  practice.  With  a  de 
liberation  and  wisdom  of  an  older  person,  he  administered  impartial 
discipline  to  the  men  under  his  charge.  His  highest  ambition  wa& 
to  make  his  Company  the  best  in  the  Regiment,  and  to  this  end 
he  labored  day  and  night  in  drilling  and  study.  With  a  faithful 
ness  exhibited  by  few,  he  judged  that  the  Government  owned  all 
his  time  and  energies.  With  a  robust  constitution,  he  endured 
marches  and  fatigues,  and  was  seldom  absent  from  his  post  of  duty. 

In  the  gray  dawn  of  the  bloody  14th  of  June,  1863,  Captain 
Tucker  was  found  at  the  head  of  his  Company,  ready  to  make  the 
assault  upon  Port  Hudson  when  the  order  should  come.  Before  the 
work  of  carnage  had  scarcely  commenced,  a  minnie  ball  pierced  his 
breast,  and  he  fell  upon  the  ground,  his  heart  pulsating  his  life's 
blood  from  the  ghastly  wound.  As  a  comrade  raised  and  supported 
his  head,  he  faintly  said  :  "  Tell  my  parents  I  died  fighting  for  my 
country.  I  had  hoped  to  live  to  go  home  again,  but  seeing  i1  is  not 
so,  I  am  proud  to  die  in  such  a  cause."  In  another  instant  the 
brave  Captain  was  no  more.  Tenderly  and  tearfully  his  men  re 
moved  his  body  to  the  rear,  when  it  was  encomned  and  sent  down 
the  river  for  burial.  In  the  Magnolia  Cemetery  at  Baton  Rouge, 
amid  the  serried  graves  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Union,  rests  all  that 
is  mortal  of  the  noble  Tucker.  A  plain  but  neatly  painted  board, 
with  this  simple  inscription,  marks  the  spot  : 

Capt.  CHAS.  E.  TUCKER. 

Killed  at  Port  Hudson, 

June  14th,  1S03. 


APPENDIX.  517 

The  soft  south  winds  will  come  to  whisper  fond  requiems  over  his 
grave,  and  bring  the  wild  flowers  of  that  sunny  clime  to  keep  sweet 
vigils  over  the  soldier's  long  rest. 

This  sketch  would  be  incomplete  without  adding  the  following 
tribute  to  his  memory,  from  the  pen  of  the  gifted  B.  F.  Taylor : 

"  We  are  no  sexagenarian.  Nobody  talks  to  us  of  the  shining  of  the  almond 
tree.  The  grasshopper  is  not  a  burden.  Time  is  not  dead,  but  busy  with  us  all 
the  while,  in  head,  and  heart,  and  hand.  And  yet  we  remember  when,  on  the  22d 
of  July,  1841,  a  boy  was  born  in  Laporte,  Indiana,  two  hours' journey  from  the 
table  where  we  are  writing.  We  hoped  he  would  live  a  man,  if  he  lived  at  all,  but 
we  never  dreamed  he  would  die  a  hero. 

"That  boy  was  Charles  E.  Tucker,  son  of  Rev.  Silas  Tucker,  now  at  Log*hs- 
port,  Indiana.  Childhood  trod  on  the  heels  of  manhood,  and  we  saw  him  again  in 
June,  1860,  with  the  honors  of  College  fresh  upon  his  brow.  One  year  ago  this 
month,  we  were  in  the  Chenango  Valley,  New  York,  and  were  climbing  the  grand 
old  hills  whereon  Madison  University  lifts  its  venerable  walls,  when  the  roll  of 
drums  and  the  warble  of  fifes  floated  up  from  the  distant  village.  "That  is  a 
Company  just  ready  to  march,"  said  a  friend.  "  Its  Captain  has  just  graduated  in 
the  Theological  Department  of  the  University.  It  is  Charles  E.  Tucker  ! »  And 
there  was  the  boy  again.  We  knew  his  career  thus  far  ;  his  talent,  his  genius,  his 
learning,  and  now  his  loyalty.  The  soldier  of  the  Cross  had  become  a  soldier  of 
the  Sword. 

"  He  went  in  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  with  General  Banks 
to  New  Orleans.  In  active  service  down  to  the  days  of  Port  Hudson,  he  was  the 
same  genial,  eloquent,  noble  youth,  beloved  everywhere. 

"  Then  next  came  Sunday  morning,  June  14th,  1863,  that  shall  be  named  in  his 
tory,  by  and  by.  The  gallant  assault  had  just  been  made,  and  the  rising  sun  was 
just  kindling  the  world  into  smiles,  when  on  the  very  walls  of  Port  Hudson,  at  the 
head  of  his  men,  sword  in  hand,  Captain  Charles  E.  Tucker  fell.  A  bullet  struck 
him  in  the  breast,  and  his  heart  throbbed  out  its  treasure  for  God  and  his  native 
land,  as  freely  as  if  it  had  only  been  love  and  not  life. 

"Ah,  how  rich  we  all  are  in  this  loyal  North,  in  precious  memories.  So  rich  in 
heroes  that  one  young  Captain  gone  may  not  be  much,  but  we  can  find  places 
empty  forever,  to  which  this  brave  young  Captain  and  his  comrades  were  every 
thing.  The  bullets  fly  far  in  these  terrible  times,  and  the  names  of  the  wounded— 
who  shall  record  them?  Fathers  and  Mothers  everywhere,  with  your  young 
Captains  living  and  dead ;  though  hearts  may  be  dead,  this  land  can  never  be 
bankrupt. 

"Noble  boy,  brave  Charles,  gallant  Captain,  good-night. 

"  Give  the  dead  soldier  room, 

But  oh,  seal  not  his  tomb, 
For  he'll  fall  into  ranks  if  you  utter  his  name  ; 

Sleep  on,  boy  in  bine, 

And  dream  the  dream  through, 
Good-night  to  ^hy  form,  but  good-morn  to  thy  fame. " 


318  APPENDIX. 

CAPTAIN  DANIEL  0.  KNOWLTON. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  in  the  village  of  Cazenovia. 
New  York,  on  the  Gth  of  February,  1840.  His  parents  were  Ed 
mund  Knowlton  and  Caroline  C.  Parsons.  His  father,  a  native  of 
Dartmouth,  New  Hampshire,  came  to  Cazenovia  in  1812,  with 
Ebenezer  Knowlton,  the  grandsire  of  Daniel.  His  great-grand" 
father  was  a  sea  captain,  and  left  Salem,  Massachusetts,  with  a 
cargo,  in  1772,  and  was  never  heard  of  after.  His  mother  was 
born  in  Sharon,  Connecticut,  and  came  to  Cazenovia  in  1818.  His 
.  parents  were  married  in  1822,  and  had  four  children,  two  sons  and  two 
daughters,  none  of  whom  are  now  living.  Daniel  was  the  youngest. 
Receiving  a  liberal  education  at  the  Oneida  Conference  Seminary, 
"he  entered  a  book  and  publishing  house  in  his  native  place.  With 
u  reputation  for  integrity  and  ability,  he  remained  in  this  employ 
ment  for  about  two  years. 

From  the  very  commencement  of  the  national  struggle,  he  felt 
continually  impressed  with  the  thought  that  it  was  his  duty  to 
enter  the  army.  When,  on  the  evening  of  July  26th,  a  spirited 
war  meeting  was  held  in  Cazenovia,  for  the  purpose  of  raising  » 
company  of  volunteers,  the  youthful  Knowlton  could  no  longer 
resist  the  promptings  of  patriotism,  and  was  among  the  very  first 
to  rise  from  his  seat,  press  forward  to  the  stand,  and  sign  his  name 
to  the  roll.  It  was  a  hard  struggle  for  him  to  leave  alone  his  aged 
father  and  mother,  the  comforts  of  home  and  the  associations  of 
boyhood,  but  after  calm  deliberation  he  had  nerved  himself  for  the 
trial,  and  when  the  decisive  step  had  been  taken,  he  felt  happy  in 
the  consciousness  of  having  done  his  duty.  From  that  moment,  he 
gave  his  most  earnest  efforts  towards  the  cause  he  espoused.  Some 
of  the  most  important  business  relating  to  the  recruiting  of  Com. 
,  pany  K,  Captain  Lake  entrusted  to  him.  Such  was  his  popularity 
that  he  also  drew  many  into  the  Company  who  otherwise  would 
not  have  enlisted. 

When  the  time  came  for  the  men  to  vote  for  their  officers,  they 
unanimously  chose  him  as  their  First  Lieutenant.  But  he  was 
destined  to  remain  but  a  short  time  even  in  this  capacity.  Colonel 
$ruth  was  not  long  in  perceiving  that  he  possessed  rare  administra 
tive  abilities,  and  an  uncommon  military  genius.  Frequently  the 
had  been  heard  to  remark"  that,  he  considered  Lieutenant 


APPENDIX.  519 

Knowlton  one  of  the  most  promising  officers  of  Iris  Regiment. 
Soon  after  arriving  in  Louisiana,  lie  was  detached  to  command 
Company  F,  to  fill  the  vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Cap 
tain  Colwell,  and  shortly  after  he  was  promoted  Captain  of  Com 
pany  D.  Notwithstanding  the  higher  rank  and  advanced  pay  of 
the  position  offered  him,  he  was  loth  for  some  time  to  leave  the 
Company  in  which  he  had  enlisted,  until  his  friends  had  urgently 
advised  him  by  no  means  to  refuse  the  generous  compliment 
proffered  by  the  Colonel.  He  remained  in  command  of  Company 
D,  iintil  his  untimely  death,  and  always  on  duty  with  it,  save  for 
a  short  time  in  the  autumn  of  1863,  when  he  was  sent  North  on 
recruiting  service. 

In  the  bivouac  or  on  the  march,  he  made  himself  a  general 
favorite,  by  reason  of  his  genial  disposition  and  uniform  good 
nature.  He  was  always  patient  under  difficulties  ;  with  equanimity 
he  bore  severe  labors  and  fatigue ;  and  never  seemed  annoyed  with 
the  petulance  and  fault-finding  of  his  comrades.  But  it  was  in  the 
heat  and  excitement  of  battle  when  his  wonderful  character  excited 
more  general  admiration.  No  one  could  have  been  more  cool,  skill 
ful,  and  deliberate  than  he  was  at  the  battle  of  Bisland,  when 
Colonel  Smith  sent  him  forward  to  skirmish  close  to  the  enemy's^ 
works.  No  one  could  have  been  more  brave  and  daring  than  he 
was  at  the  assault  upon  Port  Hudson,  where,  at  the  head  of  his 
Company,  he  urged  his  men  forward  by  his  gallant  example,  and. 
pressed  clear  to  the  rebel  parapet.  No  one  could  have  earned  so 
high  a  reputation  as  he  did,  in  all  the  engagements  of  the  Red 
River  Campaign.  No  one  could  have  have  been  so  calm,  yet  so 
dignified,  as  he  was  at  Winchester,  where  nearly  all  his  men  fell 
around  him. 

When  the  bloody  morning  of  the  19th  of  October  brought  the 
sudden  clamor  of  battle,  Captain  Knowlton  was  found  standing 
quiet  and  dignified  at  the  head  of  his  Company.  When  the  work 
of  carnage  commenced,  he  gave  his  orders  slowly,  in  a  low  tone, 
and  soothed  the  fears  of  his  men  by  his  smiling  face  and  indifferent 
manner.  Perceiving  that  without  extraordinary  exertions  the  battle 
was  lost,  he  seized  the  gun  and  cartridge  box  of  young  Alfred  Morse, 
who  had  been  wounded  near  him,  and  commenced  to  load  and  fire 
with  his  men.  While  thus  engaged,  a  merciless  bullet  struck  him 


520  APPBSTDIX. 

full  iii  the  forehead,  and  falling  forward  upon  his  face,  he  uncon 
sciously  breathed  out  his  soul  without  a  struggle  or  a  pang. 

The  biographer  of  General  Lyon  says  that  his  mother  was  a 
Knowlton.  The  blood  that  coursed  in  the  veins  of  the  hero  of 
Wilson's  Creek,  Missouri,  and  of  Colonel  Knowlton,  of  Revolution 
ary  memory,  ran,  in  the  veins  of  our  young  hero  at  Cedar  Creek, 
Virginia.  Shortly  after  the  Captain  fell,  the  Regiment  was  forced 
to  retreat,  and  the  rebels  occupied  the  ground  where  lay  his  manly 
form.  Late  in  the  evening,  when  the  victorious  army  drove  the 
enemy  from  the  field,  his  comrades  recovered  his  body,  and  care 
fully  interred  it  in  a  small  enclosure,  protested  by  a  strong  stone 
wall.  A  few  days  later,  his  remains  were  carried  to  Martinsburgh, 
where  they  were  embalmed  and  sent  forward  to  his  native  village. 
Cazenovia  never  saw  a  sadder  day  than  when  his  body  was  brought 
home,  and  the  whole  population  turned  out  in  sorrowing  masses  to 
pay  their  last  respects  to  the  memory  of  him  who  had  represented 
them  so  well  in  the  army.  Captain  Fitts,  an  intimate  friend  of  the 
deceased,  wrote  a  touching  tribute  to  his  worth,  which  gives,  in 
words  better  than  the  author  can  express,  the  general  sentiment  of 
the  Regiment : 

"Of  the  thirty  line  officers  originally  attached  to  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  New  York,  there  was  not  one  who  more  quickly  made  for  himself  a  place 
in  the  hearts  of  his  confreres  than  Captain  (then  First  Lieutenant)  Daniel  C. 
Knowlton.  His  popularity  was  universal.  An  officer  thoroughly  versed  in  his 
duties,  a  genial  companion,  a  high-toned,  chivalrous  gentleman,  it  was  not  strange 
that  his  claim  to  the  affection  and  respect  of  all  should  be  promptly  recognized. 
At  Bisland,  at  Port  Hudson,  on  the  Red  River,  and  at  Winchester,  he  gained  the 
proud  distinction  of  a  brave,  cool  officer.  The  latter  quality,  indeed,  had  made 
his  name  almost  proverbial  in  the  Regiment.  And  now,  at  the  last,  he  has  been 
crowned  with  the  soldier's  martyrdom  ;  the  sun  of  that  bloody  morning  had  not 
arisen  when  he  fell,  in  the  very  fore-front  of  the  fight,  and  while  loading  and  firing 
among  his  men.  Unto  the  very  last  of  earth,  he  was  still  the  same  in  his  self- 
devoting  courage ;  and  who  shall  say  that  the  cause  to  which  such  precious  life- 
blood  is  offered,  is  not  holier  for  the  sacrifice  ? 

"There  is  no  incompleteness  in  the  record  of  such  a  life.  The  fullest  measure 
of  years,  the  ripest  maturity  of  life,  can  never  be  approached  by  so  triumphant  a 
death  as  that  of  him  who  dies  while  battling  with  the  rebellious  enemies  of  his 
country,  for  her  existence.  '  Ho  has  fought  a  good  fight— he  has  finished  his  work,' 
and,  far  beyond  the  toil,  the  danger  and  the  pain  of  mortal  wara,  he  sleeps  in  the 
sweet,  eternal  peace  of  God.  '^  »  " 

"  The  ardent  sympathy  of  his  brothers-in-  arms  is  extended  to  his  relatives  and 
Mends,  in  the  mournful  apirit  of  men  who  feel  that  they  are  sharers  in  the  Io«e. 


APPENDIX.  521 

The  winning,  cheerful  smile,  the  face  of  manly  beauty,  the  graceful,  soldierly  form 
of  Knowlton,  are  gone  from  among  us,  and  irreparable  indeed  is  the  bereavement. 
Gallant  soldier,  faithful  friend,  dear  companion — farewell,  farewell ! 

"  Close  his  eye— his  work  is  done— 

What  to  him  is  steel  of  foeman, 
Rise  of  morn  or  set  of  sun, 

Hand  of  man  or  kiss  of  woman  ? 
Lay  him  low,  lay  him  low, 
In  the  daises  or  the  snow— 
What  cares  he  ?— he  cannot  know. 
Lay  him  low  !  " 


LIEUTENANT  EDWARD   ELLAS  BREED. 

The  vigor  and  strength  of  youth  just  verging  into  manhood,  a 
mind  developed  by  good  education,  an  ardent  but  steadfast  devotion 
to  country,  and  a  courage  as  native  to  his  heart  as  the  stars  to  the 
firmament,  were  marked  traits  in  the  character  of  Lieutenant 
Breed.  The  contrary  has  too  often  been  true,  where  the  contingent 
remnant  of  a  life  ruined  by  vice,  a  constitution  shattered  by  dissipa 
tion  and  hopes  clouded  with  dishonor,  have  been  offered  as  the  last 
desperate  venture,  in  a  cause  to  which  they  gave  no  valuable  aid, 
and  in  which  death  was  little  else  than  a  choice  of  evils. 

Lieutenant  Breed  was  one  of  the  best  examples  of  a  true  soldier 
of  the  Union.  Norwich,  in  Chenango  County,  was  liis  birthplace  ; 
his  parents,  who  still  reside  there,  were  William  R.  Breed  and 
Marcia  Caroline  Packer ;  his  paternal  grandparents  were  Deacon 
Elias  Breed  and  Elizabeth  Randall,  and  his  maternal,  Captain  James 
Packer  and  Mary  Billings,  all  of  whom  were  early  settlers  in  Che 
nango  County,  from  New  England.  The  influences  of  a  good  home, 
in  which  loyalty  and  patriotism  were  native  products,  attendance 
upon  the  common  school,  and  afterwards  as  a  student  at  both  the 
Norwich  and  Oxford  Academies,  entered  largely  into  the  prepara 
tion  of  our  young  hero  for  his  mission  of  patriotism. 

He  enlisted  August  6th,  1862,  in  Company  A.  A  mother's  fond 
ness  for  her  first  born,  as  natural  as  it  was  honorable,  for  a  time  re- 
ntrained  his  persistent  purpose  of  patriotic  service  ;  but  her  acqui 
escence  was  at  last  given  to  his  repeated  importunities.  A  spirit 
impelled  by  such  lofty  courage,  struggled  to  unite  its  destiny  with 
that  of  its  country,  as  naturally  as  the  mountain  stream  tends  to 


522  APPENDIX. 

the  ocean.  From  this  time  forward,  the  hardships  of  the  camp, 
the  fatigues  of  the  march,  the  weary  night-vigil,  and  the  stern  en 
counter  of  battle,  elicited  from  him  no  murmur  of  discontent ;  ever 
cheerful  and  contented  in  the  path  which  he  had  chosen,  ever  happy 
under  the  flag  of  his  country.  By  diligent  application  he  soon  be 
came  versed  in  the  rudiments  of  war,  and  at  times  expressed  a 
desire  and  purpose  to  devote  himself  permanently  to  the  military 
service  of  his  country. 

He  was  advanced  to  a  Second  Lieutenancy  in  August,  1863,  trans 
ferred  to  Company  H,  of  which  he  became  First  Lieutenant  in 
October  folio  wing.  Lieutenant  Breed  was  in  action  at  Fort  Bisland, 
tox>k  part  in  the  assault  upon  Port  Hudson,  and  shared  the  dangers 
and  trials  of  the  disastrous  expedition  to  Red  River. 

In  the  summer  of  1864,  his  Regiment  was  ordered  to  Virginia, 
and  in  the  momentous  battle  at  Winchester,  in  which  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  gained  such  deathless  renown  at  the  price 
of  so  many  precious  lives,  he  received  a  fatal  wound  while  in  com 
mand  of  his  Company.  After  four  color-bearers  had  fallen,  snatch 
ing  from  the  ground  and  waving  on  high  the  flag  which  had  so 
long  been  the  guide  of  his  destiny  and  hopes,  and  which  he  could 
not  see  in  dishonor,  he  received  the  fatal  bullet,  and  sealed  the  life 
of  a  true  soldier  with  the  death  of  a  true  hero. 

"  Take  for  his  fitting  pall 
Tho  grand  old  flag  in  whose  defence  he  fell, 
The  glorious  banner  which  he  loved  so  well, 

And  o'er  his  corse  now  let  it  gently  fall." 

He  lived  but  a  few  hours,  but  long  enough  for  him  to  testify,  even 
with  his  latest  breath,  his  undying  devotion  to  his  country.  To 
Sergeant  (then  acting  Lieutenant)  Aylesworth,  of  his  Company, 
who  was  also  fatally  wounded,  he  said  :  "  Tell  the  people  of  Oxford 
I  die  for  my  country.  I  die  just  as  I  wanted  to.  I  die  perfectly 
happy."  With  a,  message  to  his  distant  friends,  he  calmly  and  placid 
ly  met  his  fate.  > 

There  is  a  grave  in  his  native  town,  where  thoughtful  friends 
have  laid  to  rest  the  casket  of  that  young  and  heroic  spirit,  rescued 
from  the  wreck  of  battle.  At  that  grave,  future  generations  will 
learn  to  hate  the  great  crime  which  called  for  such  costly  sacrifice, 
while  they  shall  emulate  that  heroic  devotion  to  the  Republic 
which  made  its  success  impossible. 


APPENDIX.  523 

LIEUTENANT  NORMAN  MITCHELL  LEWIS. 

Norman  M.  Lewis,  a  native  of  Roxbury,  Connecticut,  was  born  om 
the  19th  of  November,  1833.  His  father,  John  Lewis,  was  of 
French  descent ;  his  mother,  (Betsey  Beardslee,)  of  English  extrac 
tion.  They  removed  from  Roxbury  to  Morrisville,  Madison  County, 
in  1838.  Norman  learned  the  carpenter's  trade  in  Morrisville,  and 
attended  school  in  the  village.  In  the  spring  of  1856,  a  few  months 
before  the  death  of  his  father,  he  took  up  his  residence  in  Norwich. 

His  father  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  at  Sackett's  Harbor.  His 
grandfather  Beardslee  was  in  the  war  of  Independence,  leaving  a 
widow  many  years  a  pensioner,  who  died  in  1857,  at  the  advanced 
age  of  one  hundred  years  and  six  months. 

When  the  cry  came  for  more  men,  the  "  carpenter  boy  "  left  the 
plane  upon  the  bench,  to  enter  the  army.  He  enlisted  in  Company 
C,  under  Captain  Titus,  and  upon  its  organization  was  appointed 
First  Sergeant.  In  August,  1863,  he  was  promoted  to  Second,  and 
in  November  following  to  First  Lieutenant.  He  was  wounded  in 
the  right  arm  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  against  his  wishes,  sent 
to  New  Orleans.  Here  he  received  thirty  days'  leave  of  absence, 
visited  his  friends  in  the  North,  and  rejoined  his  Company  at  Mor 
ganza,  La.,  two  days  before  his  leave  expired. 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  19th  of  October,  1864,  on  the  line 
first  formed  after  the  night  attack  by  the  audacious  Early,  he  was 
hit  by  a  ball  which  badly  fractured  the  right  leg  below  the  knee. 
He  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  till  the  field  was  retaken  in 
the  evening,  when  he  was  carried  to  a  house  near  by.  The  next 
day  he  was  taken  to  Newtown,  and  his  leg  amputated.  The  second 
day  after  the  operation,  he  was  removed  to  a  hospital  in  Winches 
ter.  Private  Frank  Hyer,  of  his  Company,  who  attended  him  to 
his  death,  wrote  to  the  Ghenango  Chronicle  as  follows  : 

"He  bid  fair  to  get  well.  He  got  along  so  as  to  be  able  to  sit  in  a  chair  and 
have  his  bed  made,  but  some  ten  days  previous  to  his  death  he  took  the  chills  and 
fever,  and  from  them  he  J^ver  recovered.  Gradually  he  kept  growing  thinner  and 
weaker,  his  appetite  wasiH  gone,  and  his  wound  was  painful.  But  never  a  mur 
mur  passed  his  lips — always  pleasant  and  uncomplaining.  He  finally  breathed  hi» 
last  twenty  minutes  before  6  o'clock  on  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  November.  He 
was  in  possession  of  his  senses  to  the  last,  and  was,  I  think,  conscious  that  he  wa» 
going  to  die.  He  told  me  the  same  afternoon  what  to  do  with  his  things  after  he 
was  dead.  Lieutenant  Lewis  was  as  brave  a  man  as  the  One  Hundred  and  Four 
teenth  could  boaet  of." 

94 


524  APPENDIX. 

Fearing  his  friends  would  worry  about  him,  after  his  leg-  was 
amputated  he  wrote  to  them  :  "  Do  not  be  troubled  on  my  account : 
the  doctors  say  I  can  have  a  wooden  leg,  which  will  answer  very 
well."  Some  time  before,  he  wrote:  "I  shall  be  home  again  when 
the  stars  and  stripes  float  over  every  rebal  stronghold  in  Christen 
dom."  In  another  letter  he  said  :  "  I  shall  never  leave  as  long  as 
there  is  an  enemy  to  fight." 

Captain  Longwell  characterized  him  as  "  a  noble  man,  respected 
and  beloved  by  all."  Another  member  of  his  Company  paid  the 
following  tribute : 

"  You  will  have  learned  before  this  of  Lieutenant  Lewis's  death.  In  him  we 
have  lost  one  of  the  coolest  and  bravest  officers  in  the  Regiment.  In  him  every 
one  found  a  friend,  no  matter  whether  he  was  decked  with  shoulder-straps,  or  Ser 
geant's  stripes,  or  was  only  in  the  humble  garb  of  a  private." 

Surgeon  Wagner,  who  visited  him  often  after  the  injury,  had  his 
body  embalmed  and  expressed  to  Mr.  Hiram  Lewis,  of  Morrisville. 
His  funeral  was  attended  from  the  residence  of  Mr.  Romulus  Lewis, 
brother  of  the  deceased,  the  services  being  conducted  by  Rev.  J.  R. 
Lewis,  Pastor  of  the  Congregational  Church. 

The  Madison  Observer  concluded  a  notice  of  the  death  of  this 
gallant  officer,  in  these  words  : 

"  He  was  a  brave  soldier  and  a  good  citizen,  highly  esteemed  by  his  relatives  and 
acquaintances,  and  his  untimely  fall  is  sincerely  lamented  by  our  whole  com 
munity." 


LIEUTENANT  WILLIAM  DELOS  THTJRBER. 

Among  the  first  to  enroll  themselves  in  New  Berlin,  in  the  One 
Hundred  and  Fourteenth  Regiment,  was  William  Delos  Thurber, 
only  son  of  Uziel  Thurber  of  that  town.  His  maternal  parent  was 
Julia  Ann  Bissel.  He  was  born  on  the  27th  of  May,  1840.  He  had 
the  benefit  of  an  academic  education,  and  learned  the  carpenter's 
trade  in  his  native  village.  In  1861,  he  marred  Elizabeth  C.  Staf 
ford,  of  Utica,  by  whom  he  had  one  child.  His  uncle,  John  Thur 
ber,  was  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  taken  prisoner  at  Qaeenstown. 
Another  uncle,  Nathan  U.  Thurber,  from  Moundsville,  Va.,  was 
Quartermaster  in  a  Western  Virginia  Regiment,  having  one  son  in 
the  rebel  army.  He  had  other  relations  in  the  late  war,  some  of 
whom  fell  in  the  service. 


APPENDIX.  525 

Lieutenant  Thurber  lor  some  time  had  been  anxious  to  enter  the 
service,  and  now  that  a  favorable  opportunity  presented  itself  to 
enlist  under  his  fellow  townsman,  Lieutenant  Foote,  he  at  once 
gave  up  the  attractions  and  pleasant  associations  of  an  interesting 
family  for  the  stern  realities  of  a  soldier's  life.  He  enlisted  August 
7th,  1862,  and  did  good  service  in  obtaining  recruits.  Lieutenant 
Foote  uniting  with  Captain  Colwell  to  form  a  Company,  young 
Thurber  was  appointed  the  first  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Company  F, 
which  position  he  filled  in  a  manner  calculated  to  do  credit  to  him 
self  and  justice  to  his  comrades.  He  was  commissioned  Second 
Lieutenant,  but  never  mustered  to  that  grade,  just  before  the  siege 
of  Port  Hudson,  and  near  its  close  promoted  to  the  rank  of  First 
Lieutenant.  He  was  in  every  battle  and  canapaign  in  which  the 
One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  participated,  and  for  his  bravery  and 
soldierly  qualities  bore  an  excellent  reputation  throughout. 

About  5  o'clock  of  the  19th  of  October,  when  mortifying  defeat 
had  been  turned  into  glorious  success  at  Cedar  Creek,  a  grape  shot 
from  one  of  our  own  guns  struck  him  in  the  right  thigh,  wounding 
him  mortally.  At  the  time,  he  was  Acting  Adjutant  of  the  Regi 
ment.  He  was  removed  to  Newtown,  where  he  lingered,  patiently 
enduring  his  sufferings,  till  the  25th  of  the  month,  when  life's  strug 
gle  was  over.  His  body  was  embalmed  and  sent  home  for  burial. 
His  funeral  was  attended  from  the  Congregational  Church  at  New 
Berlin,  and  a  large  concourse  of  citizens  and  friend*s  followed  his 
remains  to  a  soldier's  grave. 

"  While  the  fir  tree  is  green  and  the  wind  rolls  a  wave, 
The  tear-drops  shall  brighten  the  turf  of  the  brave." 


LIEUTENANT  ISAAC  BENNETT  BURCH. 

9 

Isaac  B.  Burch,  a  native  of  New  Berlin,  New  York,  was  born  on 
the  4th  of  March,  1838.  He  was  son  of  the  late  Russel  B.  Burch, 
M.  D.,  for  many  years  a  respectable  practitioner  of  that  town.  His 
maternal  parent  was  Hannah  C.  Blakesley.  He  descended  from 
Revolutionary  ancestors.  His  grandfather,  Isaac  Burch,  was  an 
officer  in  the  war  of  1812.  He  had  several  relatives  in  the  late  war, 
one  of  whom,  Joseph  Burch,  from  a  private  attained  the  rank  of 
Major,  and  for  upwards  of  a  year  was  Provost  Marshal  at  Chatta 
nooga. 


-526  APPENDIX. 

Isaac  obtained  a  good  business  education  in  the  common  school, 
aud  at  the  Academy  in  his  native  village.  When  quite  young,  he 
commenced  the  printer's  trade  with  Mr.  Galpin,  of  the  Oxford  Times. 
Sickness  for  a  season  compelling  him  to  relinquish  his  chosen  pur 
suit,  we  next  find  him  prosecuting  his  favorite  calling  with  Mr. 
Fox,  in  the  office  of  the  New  Berlin  Pioneer.  In  the  summer  of 
1857,  he  commenced  work  for  Messrs.  Hubbard  &  Sinclair,  of  the 
Chenango  Union,  and  with  the  exception  of  an  interval  of  a  few 
months,  was  employed  in  that  office  until  his  enlistment,  a  period 
of  some  five  years. 

He  was  among  the  first  that  enlisted  under  Captain  Bockee,  and 
immediately  entered  the  recruiting  service.  For  a  number  of 
months  he  faithfully  performed,  and  with  conceded  ability,  the  ex 
acting  duties  of  Regimental  Clerk.  In  June  of  1863,  he  was  pro 
moted  to  First  Sergeant,  and  in  November  following  to  the  post  of 
Second  Lieutenant.  In  August,  1864,  he  was  commissioned  First 
Lieutenant,  and  in  the  absence  of  his  Captain,  was  frequently  in 
charge  of  his  Company.  He  commanded  it  throughout  the  Red 
River  Campaign.  At  Opequan  a  ball  passed  through  his  cap,  bare 
ly  missing  his  head.  Leading  his  men  in  the  charge  at  Cedar 
Creek,  he  fell  mortally  wounded,  shot  with  a  minnie  ball  through 
the  left  lung.  Lieutenant  St.  John  led  him  a  short  distance  from 
the  field,  to  whom  he  composedly  said,  "  I  am  afraid  this  is  mortal." 
He  lost  much  blood,  and  soon  became  insensible  to  pain,  which  led 
him  to  think  he  might  recover.  When  told  by  Lieutenant  Allis, 
he  could  not  live,  he  seemed  resigned  to  his  fate,  simply  remarking  : 
"  Very  good  ;  it  is  all  right."  With  a  mind  unclouded  by  the  near 
approach  of  death,  fully  comprehending  his  situation,  he  patiently, 
even  cheerfully,  awaited  his  doom.  He  directed  his  watch  and  ring 
to  be  sent  to  his  mother,  and  gave  a  dying  message  to  his  family 
and  friends.  He  lived  some  twenty-four  hours. 

Lieutenant  Burch  was  not  easily  disconcerted  or  ruffled  in  tem 
per,  was  ever  attentive  to  his  duties,  and  possessed  in  a  noticeable 
degree  the  elements  of  a  true  soldier.  He  was  passionately  fond  of 
travel,  and  a  close  observer  of  passing  events.  Many  of  his  letters 
home  contained  graphic  accounts  of  the  country  and  scenes  through 
which  the  Regiment  passed,  evincing  more  than  ordinary  observa 
tion  and  rare  descriptive  powers. 

The  Chenango  Union,  in  an  article  touching  his  services  and  death, 
ihus  fittingly  remarked : 


APPENDIX.  527 

''He  vr&e  amiable,  intelligent  and  honest;  an  excellent  companion;  a  tfue 
friend ;  generous  and  warm-hearted  toward  all  around  him  ;  and  in  all  respects 
one  to  excite  the  love  and  repect  of  his  fellow  men.  We  deeply  deplore  hie  fate." 

From  the  Freeman's  Journal,  of  Cooperstown,  we  extract  the  fol 
lowing  tribute : 

"The  Army  has  lost  a  brave  officer,  a  widowed  mother  a  dutiful  son,  and  a  circle 
of  brothers  and  sisters  has  had  torn  from  it  one  for  whom  society  at  large  had  no 
word  but  of  praise." 

His  body  was  consigned  to  its  last  resting  place  in  the  family 
burial  ground  at  New  Berlin.  That  little  mound  shall  be  a  conse 
crated  shrine,  which  he  who  loves  his  country  and  rejoices  over  its 
deliverance  shall  never  visit  but  with  reverence. 

"  In  man's  regret  he  lives,  and  woman's  tears, 
More  sacred  than  in  life,  and  lovelier  far, 
For  having  perished  in  the  front  of  war." 


LIEUTENANT  GEORGE  T.  DONNELLY. 

Without  being  permitted  to  meet  the  enemy  of  his  country  in 
the  contested  field,  with  a  loyalty  that  manifested  itself  in  deeds, 
with  a  courage  that  would  have  given  him  a  place  in  the  foremost 
ranks,  the  subject  of  this  brief  memoir,  from  a  distressing  casualty, 
was  early  called  from  the  service.  Lieutenant  Donnelly,  a  son  of 
Polley  and  Joshua  Donnelly,  was  born  in  Rochester,  New  York, 
August  20th,  1824. 

After  receiving  a  good  common  school  education,  at  the  Dela 
ware  Literary  Institute,  he  made  still  higher  attainments,  and  best ' 
of  all,  acquired  a  well  disciplined  mind.  In  1850  he  married  Susan 
Weed,  of  North  Franklin,  and  had  two  children.  His  grandfather. 
Peleg  Miller,  was  a  soldier  in  the  Continental  army.  He  had  a  rela 
tive  named  Donnelly,  who  was  severely,  if  not  mortally  wounded 
at  Cedar  Mountain,  in  command  of  a  New  York  Regiment, 
which  fought  most  gallantly.  He  was  connected  to  the  Hon. 
Eliakin  Sherrill,  formerly  a  member  of  Congress  from  the  Ulster 
District,  and  once  State  Senator,  who  took  the  One  Hundred  and 
Twenty-Sixth  New  York  into  the  service.  Colonel  Sherrill  was 
badly  wounded  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  killed  at  Gettysburg. 

When  recruits  were  needed  to  replenish  the  shattered  ranks  of 
the  patriot  army,  Lientenant  Donnelly  was  following  his  chosen 


528  APPENDIX. 

vocation,  as  a  Minister  of  the  Gospel,  in  charge  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  Afton,  Chenango  County.  With  a  patriotism  worthy  of 
his  Revolutionary  grandsire,  with  a  faith  which  declared  itself  in 
works,  he  exchanged  the  pulpit  and  the  robes  of  a  messenger  of 
peace,  for  the  rostrum  and  the  field,  and  "  dared  to  lead  where  others 
dared  to  follow."  His  example  and  efforts  induced  numbers  in 
Afton  and  vicinity  to  enlist  with  him  in  Captain  Macdonald's  Com 
pany.  Upon  the  organization  of  Company  E,  he  was  commissioned 
Second  Lieutenant,  and  November  following,  upon  the  promotion 
of  Lieutenant  Dederer  to  the  Captaincy,  he  was  advanced  to  First 
Lieutenant,  but  from  some  unaccountable  reason  was  never  mui- 
tered  to  that  grade. 

Always  ready  when  called  for,  on  the  evening  of  March  20th, 
while  the  Regiment  was  at  Brashear,  he  was  ordered  with  a  squad 
of  men,  to  the  railroad  depot,  to  do  guard  duty.  While  walking 
about  the  depot,  in  the  darkness,  he  received  a  fall,  which  produced 
a  severe  internal  injury.  For  some  time  it  was  feared  he  would 
never  rally  from  the  shock,  but  partially  recovering,  he  lingered 
with  intense  suffering,  which  he  bore  with  Christian  fortitude,  till 
April  27th,  when  death  kindly  came  to  his  relief. 

"As  weary,  worn-out  winds  expire, 
Or  night-dews  fall  gently  to  the  ground, 
So  calm  his  exit." 

Lieutenant  Donnelly  seemed  to  have  a  proper  motive  in  all  he 
did,  and  acted  purely  from  principle.  Hon.  S.  F.  Miller,  late  Con 
gressman  from  the  Chenango  District,  who  was  his  cousin,  writes  of 
him  as  follows :  "  I  knew  him  intimately  for  more  than  twenty 
years.  He  was  a  generous,  brave,  noble,  upright  man.  He  went 
into  the  army  from  principle,  and  freely  gave  his  life  that  the 
country  might  live.  The  history  of  such  men  should  be  preserved." 

He  sleeps  entombed  with  his  compatriots,  alongside  the  noble 
Ballou  and  others,  on  the  far  off  banks  of  the  Atchafalaya.  A 
simple  board,  on  which  is  carved  his  name  and  date  of  death,  marks 
the  spot  where  he  lies.  Remote  old  grave-yard  at  Brashear,  ly 
ing  though  it  does  amidst  historic  scenes,  was  never  such  a  hal 
lowed  spot  as  now,  that  there  is  consigned  to  its  keeping  the  ashes 
of  those  so  gallant  and  so  true.  It  is  henceforth  consecrated  ground, 
that  can  never  be  desecrated. 


AITEHDIX.  520 

LIEUTENANT  JAMES  EDWIN  GILBERT. 

James  Edwin  Gilbert  brought  to  the  service  of  his  country 
qualities  which  most  adorn  the  citizen,  and  at  the  same  time  are 
the  only  sure  foundation  of  success  in  the  soldier  ;  a  constitution 
free  from  the  enervating  effects  of  early  dissipation  ;  self  reliance, 
the  natural  result  of  self  dependence ;  a  good  education,  obtained 
by  a  severe  and  honorable  strife  with  difficulties  which  opposed 
themselves  ;  and  the  promise  of  a  future  of  success  and  usefulness 
to  himself  and  others. 

Lieutenant  Gilbert  was  born  in  Guilford,  Chenango  County,  July 
7th,  1839,  and  was  the  son  of  Orlando  S.  and  Dorcas  Gilbert.  An 
elder  brother,  Lamont,  was  also  in  the  service,  and  was  First 
Lieutenant  of  Company  G,  First  Minnesota  Heavy  Artillery.  If 
his  early  home  did  not  afford  the  advantages  and  luxuries  which 
wealth  bestows,  it  offered  him  blessings  which  wealth  cannot  l»uy, 
the  influences  of  virtue  and  Christian  morality  inculcated  by 
parental  precept  and  example,  and  the  necessity  lor  self-exertion 
cheerfully  accepted  at  his  hands,  and  manfully  put  into  practice«in 
his  life.  It  was  in  such  a.  home  that  he  was  taught  that  loyalty  to 
country  was  only  second  to  loyalty  to  God,  and  that  patriotism  is 
the  necessary  development  of  a  truly  Christian  character. 

His  boyhood  was  divided  between  the  labors  of  the  farm  and  at 
tendance  upon  the  common  school ;  at  eighteen  he  assumed  the 
duties  of  a  teacher ;  subsequently  was  a  student  at  both  the  Nor 
wich  and  Oxford  Academies,  and  a  teacher  of  public  and  select 
schools.  For  a  year  previous  to  his  enlistment,  he  was  in  charge  of 
a  select  school  at  Bainbridge,  where  success  and  the  increasing  con- 
fiden«e  of  numerous  patrons,  and  the  respect  and  love  of  his 
scholars,  attended  him  to  the  last.  But  at  the  call  of  his  country 
lie  relinquished  all,  and  exchanged  the  duties  of  the  school  room 
for  the  tactics  of  war.  He  enrolled  himself  as  a  member  of  Com 
pany  A,  July  23d,  1862,  and  was  commissioned  its  Second  Lieutenant  f 
September  3d.  A  sword,  sash  and  belt,  the  gift  of  his  Company, 
testified  their  esteem  for  him  as  an  officer,  and  he  bore  them  with 
honor  to  his  death.  He  went  to  Louisiana  with^his  Regiment,  and 
fell  a  victim  to  typhoid  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  February  16th,  1863. 
T  he  officers  of  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourteenth  adopted  resolu 
tions  which  well  and  fitly  expressed  their  sorrow  for  the  loss  of  a 
beloved  and  valued  comrade. 


530  APPENDIX. 

Resolved,  That  we  learn  with  unfeigned  sorrow,  the  decease  of  Second  Lieutenant 
James  E.  Gilbert,  of  Company  A,  of  this  Regiment :  a  brother  officer  with  whom 
a  military  connection  of  five  months  has  impressed  us  with  his  many  good  quali 
ties  of  head  and  heart,  and  with  his  genial,  yet  manly  nature. 

Resolved,  That  in  this,  the  first  solemn  occasion  of  this  character  in  this  Regi 
ment,  we  recognize  with  deep  humility  the  mysterious  working  of  that  Providence 
whose  ways  are  truly  '  unsearchable,  and  past  finding  out ; '  and  we  bow  in  sad 
assent  to  the  edict  which  has  called  from  us  a  companion  and  a  friend.  ^ 

Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  the  bereaved  parents  and  relatives  of  Lieutenant 
Gilbert,  our  heartiest  sympathy  and  condolence ;  and  would  remind  them  that 
they  have  given  up  their  dead  to  his  country,  and  that  he  was  stricken  down  while 
in  the  ranks  of  its  defenders. 

Lieutenant  Gilbert  was  one  whom  to  see  was  to  trust.  His  was  » 
character  which  the  associations  of  war  and  the  contact  of  the 
camp  purified  and  strengthened,  but  could  not  corrupt  nor  destroy. 

Faithful  friends  gathered  the  ashes  of  the  lamented  dead,  and 
sent  them  to  his  stricken  family  for  burial.  la  his  native  town,  on 
the  13th  of  March,  1863,  the  last  sad  honors  were  paid  at  his  grave. 
Warm  tears  of  sorrow  moistened  that  soldier-grave  ;  but  they  were 
tears  without  reproach,  sorrow  without  a  blush  of  shame.  Well 
and  nobly  had  he  borne  his  burden.  He  had  given  his  life  to  his 
country.  He  could  not  have  done  more  had  his  years  been  exl  end 
ed  to  three  score  and  ten.  The  thoughtful  care  of  neighbors  and 
friends  for  his  momory,  has  already  been  testified  by  a  monument 
at  his  grave,  and  a  plain  shaft  points  heavenward  to  the  home  of 
the  Christian  Patriot. 


CAPTAIN  JAMES  FLOYD  THOMPSON. 

Although  the  subjects  of  this  and  the  following  sketch  died  after 
their  connection  with  the  Ope  Hundred  and  Fourteenth,  brief  me 
morials  properly  come  within  the  scope  of  this  work. 

J.  Floyd  Thompson,  the  only  son  of  Elihu  Thompson,  was  born 
in  Otselic,  New  York,  in  April,  1834.  His  father  was  a  native  of 
Burlington,  Otsego  County,  being  born  in  1810.  His  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Lucy  Ann  Johnson,  a  native  of  Chatham,  Con 
necticut,  came  to  Burlington  in  1816,  when  but  four  years  old.  The 
parents  of  Floyd  moved  to  Otselic  about  the  year  1830.  For  some 
years  before  the  war,  the  son  was  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits  in 
his  native  town.  In  January,  1861,  he  married  Addie,  daughter  of 
Colonel  D.  B.  Wakeley,  of  Pitcher. 


APPENDIX.  53 1 

On  the  4th  of  August,  1862,  Captain  Thompson  received  author 
ization  papers  to  recruit  a  Company,  which,  by  the  aid  of  energetic 
citizens  and  the  volunteers  themselves,  was  filled  and  mustered  on 
the  14th.  He  held  the  position  of  Quartermaster  on  the  Regi 
mental  staff  till  the  spring  of  1863,  when  disability  compelled  him 
to  resign.  Recovering  from  his  illness,  he  enlisted  a  Company  for 
the  Twenty-Second  New  York  Cavalry,  which  was  known  as  Com 
pany  L.  His  commission  as  Captain  of  Cavalry  bears  date  Septem 
ber  22d,  1863.  While  on  duty  with  his  Regiment,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Norfolk,  Va.,  he  was  attacked  with  a  fever,  which  terminated 
his  life  on  the  5th  of  July  1864. 

Generous  almost  to  a  fault,  social  in  his  nature,  warm  in  his  at 
tachments,  he  possessed  in  an  eminent  degree  the  elements  of  popu 
larity,  and  had  a  host  of  admirers  and  friends.  He  rests  secure 
from  the  trials  and  conflicts  of  earth',  in  the  cemetery  of  his  own 
native  village,  while  his  comrades  will  cherish  his  memory,  and 
the  hands  of  affection  keep  green  the  turf  over  his  grave. 


ASSISTANT  SURGEON  HENRY  G.  BEAKDSLKY. 

Dr.  Beardsley  was  born  in  New  Fairfield,  Connecticut,  in  Fcb- 
ruaPy,  1805.  .  He  had  three  brothers  all  older  than  himself.  The 
blood  of  the  patriots  of  '76  ran  in  the  veins  of  these  sons,  their 
paternal  and  maternal  grandfathers,  Phineas  Beardsley  and  Stephen 
Gregory,  serving  as  officers  throughout  the  first  struggle  for  Inde- 
pendauce.  The  father  of  the  Doctor,  Obacliah  Beardsley,  removed 
to  Oneida  County,  about  the  year  1808. 

Henry  alternately  taught  school  and  prosecuted  his  studies,  thus 
acquiring,  not  only  a  thorough  medical  education,  but  a  fair  ad 
vancement  in  the  field  of  letters,  and  a  well  disciplined  mind.  He 
graduated  at  the  College  of  Physicians  and  Surgeons  in  the  Western 
District  of  New  York,  in  the  spring  of  1832,  and  commenced  prac 
tice  in  Hamilton,  N.  Y.  For  some  time  he  was  a  partner  of  the 
celebrated  Dr.  Havens,  Sr.,  late  deceased.  He  was  once  or  more 
elected  President  of  the  Madison  County  Medical  Society,  and  held 
the  position  of  Postmaster  for  nearly  two  terms.  Several  times  the 
office  of  School  Superintendent  was  conferred  upon  him  by  the 
citizens  of  Hamilton.  About  the  year  1830,  he  became  connected 


5*2  APPENDIX. 

with  the  military  of  the  State,  and  subsequently  held  the  commis 
sions  of  Captain,  Major  and  Lieutenant  Colonel.  Democratic  in 
his  views,  he  obtained  some  reputation  as  a  political  writer,  and 
produced  some  very  respectable  scientific  and  literary  papers. 

Joining  the  Regiment  at  its  organization,  he  remained  a  faithful 
officer  till  his  discharge  the  service,  in  March  of  1863,  from  an  in 
jury  received  by  a  fall  from  a  railroad  bridge  at  La  Fafourche,  in 
January  before.  He  was  temporarily  assigned  to  duty  with  a 
Maryland  Regiment  at  Baltimore,  and  in  transit  to  New  Orleans, 
was  in  charge  of  the  three  Companies  that  sailed  upon  the  Arago. 
After  his  return  North,  he  improved  somewhat,  but  soon  went  into 
a  decline.  Hoping  the  change  might  be  beneficial,  he  removed  to 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  the  fall  of  18H5.  The  bracing  sea  air  failed  to 
invigorate  his  feeble  frame,  and  he  died  a  consumptive,  in  Decem 
ber,  1865. 

Intimately  associated  with  the  deceased,  and  knowing  him  well, 
it  affords  us  a  melancholy  pleasure  to  pay  this  poor  tribute  to  so 
much  worth.  Our  deceased  friend  and  brother  seemed  most  com 
pletely  to  regulate  his  conduct  by  the  strictest  rules  of  honor. 
Affable  to  all,  genial  and  social  in  his  disposition,  hospitable  in  his 
feelings  and  conduct,  true  and  generous  to  his  friends,  juet  and  for 
giving  to  his  enemies,  kind  and  devoted  to  his  family,  skilled  in  his 
profession,  he  combined  in  himself  all  the  attributes  and  qualities 
which  distinguish  the  character  of  a  Christian  gentleman. 

DWIGHT  PARCE. 

While  there  are  perhaps  but  few  among  Army  Sutlers  whose  acts 
entitle  them  to  favorable  consideration,  we  are  happy  to  record  an 
honora*ble  exception  in  the  person  of  him  whose  name  heads  this 
brief  notice.  An  honest  man,  a  worthy  citizen,  a  kind  and  obliging 
neighbor  at  home,  his  contact  with  the  army  did  not  affect  his 
honesty,  or  dry  up  the  generous  impulses  ef  his  nature. 

Dvvight  Parce.  son  of  Justus  and  Betsey  E.  Parce,  was  born  iu 
Pitcher,  N.  Y.,  in  June,  1821.  His  wife  was  a  daughter  of  the  late 
Samuel  Freeman,  of  Pitcher,  by  whom  he  left  four  children.  Many 
years  since  he  removed  to  Norwich  ;  and  at  the  time  he  joined  his 
fortunes  with  the  Regiment,  at  its  organization,  he  was  profitably 
engaged  in  the  confectionery  business. 


APPENDIX.  53$ 

In  addition  to  the  ordinary  duties  of  Sutler,  he  kept,  with  the 
assistance  of  Mr.  Wells  Ufford,  a  boarding  hall  for  the  officers  at 
Baltimore,  and  a  hotel  at  Brashear  City.  When  this  place  was 
captured,  June  23d,  1863,  Mr.  Parce  was  taken  prisoner.  He  wa* 
quite  unwell  at  the  time,  and  had  but  just  returned  from  New 
Orleans.  He  was  in  the  rebel  hospital  from  his  capture  till  the  4th. 
of  July.  On  the  14th,  some  fifteen  or  twenty  of  the  captives,  in 
cluding  Mr.  Parce  and  other  citizen  prisoners,  Colonel  Nott,  of  the- 
One  Hundred  and  Seventh-Sixth  N.  Y.,  and  several  officers  of  his 
Regiment,  were  started  under  guard  to  Houston,  Texas.  One  lad^v. 
(Mrs.  Stratton,)  whose  husband  was  captured  on  a  government 
plantation,  was  of  the  party.  A  clumsy  army  wagon,  drawn  by 
four  mules,  completed  the  train,  which  was  in  charge  of  a  good- 
natured  Texan  Lieutenant.  They  went  over-land  to  Niblett's  BluflC 
on  the  Sabine  River ;  from  thence  by  steam-boat  to  Beaumont ; 
then  by  rail  to  Houston,  which  was  reached  on  the  28th  of  July.. 
They  arrived  at  Camp  Groce  on  the  1st  of  August.  For  two  months 
Mr.  Parce,  who  was  suffering  from  chronic  dysentery  and  occasional, 
chills,  alternated  between  better  and  worse.  From  the  1st  of  Octo 
ber  he  gradually  grew  weaker,  though  still  keeping  up  the  best  of 
spirits.  Said  Colonel  Nott,  in  his  "  Sketches  in  Prison  Camps  "  : 
"  His  strength  waned,  but  his  placid  cheerfulness  was  still  undis 
turbed." 

On   the  evening  of   the   23d   of  October  he   breathed  his   last. 
While  all  the  prisoners  were  kind  in  deed  and  in  heart,  and  cheer 
fully  did  what   they  could  for  his  relief,  there  was  one  who  early 
became  his  intimate  friend,  and  most  faithfully  and  devotedly  watch 
ed  over  the  dying  embers  till  the  last  spark  had  gone  out.     Hi» 
name  was  C.  G.  Knowlton.     Before  leaving  Brashear,  each  pledged 
himself  to  stand  by  the  other  till  their  death  or  release.     Colonel 
Nott,  in  a  letter  to  Mrs.  Parce,  announcing  her  husband's  death,  re 
marked  :  "  A  stranger  to  Mr.  Parce  until  our  capture,  I  soon  learn^ 
ed  to  appreciate  his  worth,  and  shall  ahvaysdeephr  deplore  his  loss/' 

Thoughtful  friends   have   recently   gathered  up  his   ashes,  and', 
most  tenderly  brought  them  from  that  far-off  land,  and  carefully 
placed  them  near  the  home  of  his  childhood,  among  the  graves  «f.:~ 
hie  kindred. 


-534  APPENDIX. 


II. 

REGISTER, 

CONTAINING    THE    NAME,  BANK,  AND    MILITARY    RECORD    OF 

EVERY    MAN    WHO    WAS    EVER     CONNECTED    WITH 

THE     ONE     HUNDRED     AND     FOURTEENTH 

REGIMENT     N.    Y.    STATE     VOLS. 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

•Colonel  Elisha  B.  Smith— Commissioned  Colonel  upon  the  organization  of  the 
Regt.  Wounded  in  fifth  dorsal  vertebrae,  in  the  assault  upon  Port  Hudson, 
June  14,  '68  ;  from  the  efiects  of  which  he  died  five  days  afterwards.  For  further 
particulars,  see  pages  18,  206,  214  and  507. 

Colonel  Samuel  R.  Per  Lee— Appointed  Adjutant  and  Quartermaster  by  the  Gov-* 
ernor  of  New  York,  during  the  formation  of  the  Regt.  At  its  completion  he  wa? 
commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel,  which  position  he  held  until  the  death 
of  Colonel  Smith,  when  he  was  promoted  on  the  19th  of  June,  to  be  full 
Colonel,  in  which  capacity  he  served  till  the  close  of  the  war.  In  the  summer  of 
'63,  he  was  in  command  of  the  post  of  Brashear  City,  and  on  several  occasion* 
he  has  had  temporary  command  of  a  Brigade.  He  was  seriously  wounded  in 
the  neck,  in  the  battle  of  Opequan,  with  a  minnie  ball,  also  in  the  side,  with  the 
fragment  of  a  shell.  Since  leaving  the  service,  he  has  received  the  honorary 
rank  of  Brevet  Brigadier  General,  for  his  "gallant  and  meritorious  service 
during  the  war."  (See  page  21.) 

-Lieutenant  Colonel  Henry  B.  Morse. —This  officer  recruited  Co.  D,  and  entered  the 
service  as  its  Captain.  Within  five  days  after  the  formation  of  the  Regt.,  he  was 
promoted  Major.  When  a  vacancy  in  the  Lieutenant  Colonelcy  was  caused  by 
the  promotion  of  Colonel  Per  Lee,  he  was  advanced  to  that  grade,  with  rank  from 
Aug.  26,  '63.  He  was  at  one  time  in  command  of  a  Brigade,  and  was  also  de 
tached  on  the  Board  of  Prison  Inspectors,  Dept.  of  the  Gulf,  and  again  as 
Acting  Chief  Quartermaster  19th  Corps.  He  was  wounded  in  the  ankle  at  Port 
Hudson,  and  in  the  arm  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads. 

"Major  Oscar  H.  Curtis— Entered  the  service  as  Captain  of  Co.  A.  When  Major 
Morse  was  advanced,  he  was  promoted  Major,  with  rank  from  Aug.  26,  '63.  He 
participated  in  all  the  battles  of  the  Regt.,  and  happily  escaped  without  wounds. 


APPENDIX.  536 

He  has  been  detached  at  different  times  as  Judge  Advocate  of  a  Court  Marti*! 
and  of  a  Military  Commission,  and  once  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  the  artillery 
and  transportation  of  the  2d  Div.  19th  Corps. 

Surgeon  Levi  P.  Wagner— Commissioned  full  Surgeon  on  the  organization  of  the 
Regiment.  After  the  battle  of  Opequau,  till  the  following  spring,  he  was  in  charge 
of  the  Depot  Field  Hospital  at  Winchester,  Va.  Afterwards  he  was  detached  as- 
Medical  Inspector,  Mid.  Mil.  Div.,  on  the  staff  of  General  Hancock,  in  which 
capacity  he  served  till  his  muster-out. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Henry  G.  Beardsley— Examined  and  commissioned  upon  the 
formation  of  the  Regt.  He  resigned  his  commission  March  28,  '63.  He  died  of 
consumption  in  Dec.  'C5.  (See  page  531.) 

Assistant  Surgeon  Harris  H.  Beecher— Joined  the  Regt.  at  its  organization.  At 
Fortress  Monroe  placed  in  charge  of  a  transport  en  route  to  New  Orleans.  De- 
tached  for  a  short  time  with  the  128th  N.  Y.  After  the  battle  of  Bisland,  sent 
back  with  wounded  to  Brashear  City,  and  just  before  its  capture  removed  hospi 
tal  to  New  Orleans.  Subsequently,  by  order  of  General  Banks,  placed  on  duty 
in  Marine  U.  S.  Gen'l  Hospital.  Rejoined  Regt.  on  Red  River  Campaign,  and 
remained  with  it  afterwards. 

Assistant  Surgeon  Charles  W.  Crarey— Was  commissioned  Aug.  20,  »63,  to  fill  the 
vacancy  caused  by  the  resignation  of  Assistant  Surgeon  Beardsley.  Before  this 
he  had  been  a  Captain  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  In  Oct.  of  '64,  he  resigned 
his  commission  in  the  114th,  to  accept  the  position  of  Surgeon  in  185th  N.  T.  V. 

Adjutant  James  F.  Fitts. — Before  the  114th  was  raised,  this  officer  was  a  Battalion 
Adjutant  in  the  10th  N.  Y.  Cavalry.  Being  mustered  out  of  the  service^he  wa& 
immediately  re-commissioned  Adjutant,  and  assigned  to  the  114th  N.  Y.  V. 
Jan.  8,  '63,  he  was  promoted  Captain  of  Co.  F,  in  place  of  Captain  Colwell,  re 
signed.  He  participated  in  all  the  campaigns  of  the  Regt.,  and  was  wounded  in 
the  abdomen  at  Port  Hudson,  and  slightly  injured  in  the  battle  of  Opequan.  He 
was  detached  at  different  places  and  times  in  the  several  capacities  of  Jndge 
Advocate  and  Assistant  Commissary  of  Musters  of  Div.  and  Corps. 

Adjutant  Charles  W.  Underbill— Entered  the  service  as  1st  Lieutenant  of  Co.  G. 
Was  promoted  Adjutant,  Jan.  8,  '63,  vice  Fitts,  promoted;  Promoted  Captain  of 
Co.  G,  June  14,  '63,  vice  Tucker,  killed.  Was  detached  as  member  of  Courts- 
Martial  on  three  different  occasions.  Has  been  upon  the  staffs  of  Generals 
Dwight  and  Auger,  as  Judge  Advocate.  Taken  prisoner  at  the  battle  of  Cedar 
Creek,  and  confined  at  Richmond  and  Danville,  four  months  before  exchanged. 

Adjutant  Elias  P.  Pellet— Originally  entered  the  service  in  April,  '61,  in  the  17tb 
N.  Y.  Subsequently  made  2d  Lieutenant.  Severe  physical  disability  caused  his 
resignation,  and  he  was  honorably  discharged  in  October  of  the  same  year. 
Re-entered  service  as  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  I.  Promoted  Adjutant,  June  14,  '63. 
Promoted  Cdptain  of  Co.  E,  July  1,  '64.  Detached  as  Assistant  Commissary  of 
Musters  on  the  staffs  of  Generals  Dwight,  Emory  and  Auger.  Since  his  muster  - 
out  he  has  been brevetted  Major.  He  has  also  written  and  published  a  raluable 
History,  embracing  the  services  of  his  Regiment. 

Adjutant  Adelbert  F.  Coope— Entered  the  Regt.  as  private  in  Co.  K .  In  the  sum^ 
mer  of  '63  he  was  promoted  Corporal.  Soon  afterwards  he  was  detailed  ae 
Regimental  Clerk.  When  Adjutant  Pellet  was  promoted,  he  succeeded  him  Lr.;. 


APPENDIX. 

tfee  Adjutant's  position,  and  served  in  this  capacity  till  the  end  the  war.  He 
tost  a  finger  in  the  battle  of  Opequan. 

Quarter  Master  J.  Floyd  Thompson — Was  at  first  Captain  of  Co.  I,  but  immedi 
ately  after  the  Regt.  was  full,  appointed  Quarter  Master.  In  Feb.,  '63,  he  re_ 
«agned  his  commission.  (See  page  530  ) 

«%Mrter  Master  Adrian  Foote— Was  at  the  organization  of  the  Regt.  1st  Lieutenant 
«jf  Co.  F.  When  Quarter  Master  Thompson  resigned,  he  was  promoted  to  fill 
4MB  place,  March  28,  '63.  He  was  detached  as  Acting  Chief  Quarter  Master 
of  a  Brigade  and  Division,  and  staft"  Quarter  Master  of  a  Department.  He  also 
served  for  a  long  time  as  Aid-de-Camp  to  General  Dwight.  Since  his  muster- 
•oat  he  has  been  commissioned  Assistant  Quarter  Master  by  the  President,  and 
%revetted  Major. 

•Ofcapiain  Henry  Callahan— Was  the  first  Chaplain  of  the  Regt.  Resigned  for  dis- 
•Afeilifcy,  Sept.  19,  '63. 

KStaplain  William  M.  Robinson— Was  appointed  to  fill  vacancy,  Dec.  1,  'G4.  Was 
ssnastered  out  with  the  Regt. 


NON-COMMISSIONED  STAFF. 

ifiatgeant  Major  Elijah  St.  John— Enlisted  as  private  in  Co.  G,  but  was  iinmedi- 
*teBy  appointed  Sergeant  Major.  Sept.  5,  '63,  he  was  commissioned  1st 
lieutenant  of  Co.  K,  where  he  served  till  the  end  of  the  war.  He  was  for  a 
«me  detailed  on  a  Court  Martial. 

^fecgeant  Major  Charles  J.  Biggs — Enlisted  as  a  private  in  Co.  C,  but  was  soon 
promoted  Corporal,  and  then  Sergeant.  Oct.  1,  '63,  he  was  appointed  Sergeant 
HTajior,  vice  St.  John.  Dec.  9,  »64,  he  was  commissioned  1st  Lieutenant  of  Co. 
S»  *fid  in  this  grade  was  mustered  out  of  service. 

:SS«Eeaat  Major  Edward  E.  Hunt— Entered  the  Regt.  as  Corporal  of  Co.  K.  July 
iL,^6S,  fae  was  promoted  1st  Sergeant  in  same  Company.  Appointed  Sergeant 
M4gor,  Feb.  5, 165,  vice  Biggs. 

Hospital  Steward  Ebenezer  McClintock— Enlisted  as  private  in  Co.  C.  Upon  the 
*lt*rting  out  of  the  Refit,  he  was  made  Hospital  Steward.  He  was  discharged 
fir  disability,  March  15,  '63.  Afterwards  commissioned  Assistant  Surgeon  175th 
M,  Y.  V.,  and  again  as  Assistant  Surgeon  U.  S.  Vols. 

ital  Steward  Joseph  H.  Skillman— Enlisted  and  served  as  private  in  Co.  B, 
j  1  March,  '63,  when  he  was  promoted  Hospital  Steward,  vice  McClintock. 
served  but  a  short  time  afterwards,  for  he  was  discharged  for  disability, 

'63. 

ital  Steward  Lewis  L.  Weed— Served  as  a  private  in  Co.  K,  until  his  promo- 
.  to  Hospital  Steward,  vice  Skillman,  July  1,  '63.  In  this  grade  he  was  mus- 
L  ont  of  service. 

Master  Sergeant  Augustus  P.  Clarke — Entered  the  Regt.  as  private  in 
43».  <3,  but  was  immediately  appointed  Quarter  Master  Sergeant.  He  was 
Discharged  for  promotion,  Sept.  14,  '63,  and  commissioned  Captain  in  98th  Regt. 
1S.S.  C.  Infaatry.  Afterwards  promoted  Major,  when  he  resigned,  May  12t  »55. 


APPENDIX.  •          537 

(J  uarter  Master  Sergeant  Albert  Sumuer— Enlisted  in  Co.  B,  as  a  private.  Soon 
afterwards  appointed  Corporal.  Promoted  Quarter  Master  Sergeant,  Nov.  1, 
'C3,  and  was  thus  mustered  out  with  the  Regt. 

Commissary  Sergeant  George  E.  Hawley— Enlisted  as  Corporal  in  Co.  B.  When 
the  Regt.  was  organized  he  was  made  Commissary  Sergeant.  Discharged  for 
disability,  Aug.  4,  'G3. 

Commissary  Sergeant  Adrian  L.  Watson — Joined  the  Regt.  as  private  in  Co.  B, 
and  in  a  few  months  was  made  Corporal.  Sept.  1,  63,  he  was  promoted  Com 
missary  Sergeant,  vice  Hawley.  Discharged  for  disability,  Aug.  4,  '64. 

Commissary  Sergeant  George  Teed — Enlisted  in  Co.  H,  as  wagoner.  Dec.  1,  '64, 
he  was  promoted  Commissary  Sergeant,  vice  Watson,  and  musteied  out  with 
the  Regt.  Was  a  long  time  detached  as  pilot  on  Southern  Merchant. 

Principal  Musician  Charles  W.  Dain— Enlisted  as  musician  in  Co.  B.  He  was  ap 
pointed  to  the  above  grade  June  30,  '63,  and  remained  such  to  the  end  of  the  war. 


COMPANY   A. 

Captain  Oscar  H.  Curtis— Promoted  to  Major,  Aug.  26,  '63.    (See  page  534.J 

Captain  Daniel  W.  Turner — Was  originally  a  Sergeant  in  Co.  A.  Promoted  1st 
Sergeant,  vice  Southworth,  June  1,  '63.  Promoted  2d  Lieutenant,  vice  Gilbert, 
April  12,  '63.  Promoted  Captain,  vice  Curtis,  June  19,  '63.  Wounded  through 
both  hips  at  the  battle  of  Opequan.  Hit  by  four  balls  within  a  few  minutes. 
In  the  winter  of  '64  he  was  placed  on  duty  in  Camp  Distribution,  Harper's 
Ferry,  Va. 

First  Lieutenant  Samuel  S.  Stafford— Was  wounded  in  the  leg  during  the  siege  of 
Port  Hudson,  iii  a  reconnoissance,  the  llth  of  June,  '63,  from  the  effects  of 
which  he  was  discharged,  July  8,  '63.  He  was  for  over  a  month  detached  on  a 
Court  Martial. 

First  Lieutenant  Lucius  Crumb— Entered  service  as  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
April  9,  '63.  Received  a  2d  Lieutenant's  commission  Nov.  15,  *63,  but  failed  to 
be  mustered.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  July  10,  '64.  Was  detached  in  the 
spring  of  '65,  in  charge  of  a  passenger  train  on  the  Potomac  and  Winchester 
Railroad.  Wounded  in  hip  at  Opequan. 

Second  Lientenat  James  E.  Gilbert — Joined  the  Regt.  in  the  above  capacity. 
Died  of  fever,  Feb.  16,  '63.  (See  page  529. ) 

First  Sergeant  Austin  S.  Southworth— Was  originally  an  Orderly  Sergeant.  Dis 
charged  for  disability,  June  1,  '63.  Re-enlisted  as  private,  Jan.  1,  '64.  Trans 
ferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  the  foot. 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  G.  Washburn— He  was  at  first  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st 
Sergeant,  May  IT,  '63.  Wounded  in  arm,  thigh  and  shoulder,  at  Opequan. 
Mortally  wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  died  within  twelve  hours.  The  memory 
of  this  brave  and  accomplished  soldier  is  cherished.  He  was  buried  alongside 
of  his  companions,  Green  and  Mason,  from  his  own  native  village  of  Oxford, 
who  fell  on  the  same  field. 

First  Sergeant  Elijah  R.  Snell— Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  vice  Waehburn,  Oct.  19, 
•04.  Wounded  slightly  at  Cedar  Creek. 


538  APPENDIX. 

Sergeant  Edward  E.  Breed— Originally  a  Corporal,  but  was  promoted  Sergeant, 
April  9,  '63.  Discharged  to  receive  promotion  as  2d  Lieutenant,  Aug.  63,  an<5 
assigned  to  Co.  H.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant  in'the  last  named  Co.,  Oct., '68. 
Killed  at  Opequan.  (See  page  521.) 

Sergeant  Samuel  A.  Del avan— Discharged  Sept.  19,  '64.  Detailed  on  recruiting 
service,  and  with  Ambulance  Corps. 

Sergeant  Frederick  Honshu— Promoted  Corporal,  Oct., '62.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
Nov.  1,  -64. 

Sergeant  Joseph  H.  Pearsall— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  1,  '63,  at  Fortress 
Monroe. 

Sergeant  Lyman  0.  Redfield— Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant,  March  1,  '65. 
Slightly  wounded  at  Pleasant  Hill  and  Opequan. 

Sergeant  Elmore  Sharp— Promoted  from  private  to  Sergeant,  Oct.  19,  '64.  Slight 
ly  wounded  at  Port  Hudson  and  Sabine  Cross  Roads ;  also  wounded  while  on 
picket  near  Strasburg,  Va. 

Sergeant  Frederick  B.  Skinner— Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant,  Sept.  J,  '63. 
Killed  at  Cedar  Creek.  He  was  in  all  the  battles  up  to  his  death,  and  was  an 
excellent  soldier. 

Sergeant  Charles  W.  Slawson — Promoted  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Wounded  seri 
ously  at  Cedar  Creek.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  Thomas  Breed— Fell  out  while  on  the  march  near  Leesburg,  Va.,  July 
22,  '64,  and  has  never  been  heard  from  since.  Supposed  to  haye  been  captured 
by  guerrillas,  and  executed.  He  bore  the  reputation  of  a  good  soldier.  Later. 
Since  the  above  was  written,  it  is  rumored  he  is  still  alive  somewhere  in  the 
West. 

Corporal  George  H.  Burgees— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  Frederick  J.  Church  -Died  of  fever  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
Feb.  14,  '63. 

Corporal  Charles  B.  Dudley— Promoted  Corporal,  July  1,  '64.  Severely  wounded 
at  Opequan,  and  mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  John  F.  Isbell— Promoted  Corporal,  March  1,  '65. 

Corporal  George  S.  Peck— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  1,  '63.  Wounded  at  Bielaud. 
in  scalp. 

Corporal  John  H.  Prince— Promoted  Corporal,  March  1,  '65. 

Corporal  Martin  V.  B.  Rogers— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital, 
New  Orleans,  June  27,  '63. 

Corporal  James  E.  Smith — Mortally  wounded  at  Opequan,  by  a  shell  and  two 
bullets.  He  died  in  a  few  hours.  A  brave  soldier. 

Corporal  Charles  S.  Thompson— Promoted  Corporal  Sept.  1,  '64.  Detailed  for 
several  months  at  H'd  Q'rs  Mid.  Mil.  Div. 

Musician  Henry  L.  Isbell— Discharged  at  Franklin,  La.,  March  10,  '64,  from  effect? 
of  wounds  received  at  Port  Hudson,  while  carrying  wounded  comrades.  After 
wards  re-eulisted  in  the  90th  N.  Y. 

Vincent  L.  Adams — Wounded  in  left  fore-arm,  at  Opequan. 

Albert  A  very— A  recruit,  enlisting  Aug.  31,  '64.  Three  days  after  he  joined  th^- 
Regt.,  he  was  seriously  wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  left  side,  from  the  effect  of 
which  be  died  Dec.  13,  '64,  at  Winchester.  Va. 


APPENDIX.  539 

George  J.  Barber — Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

George  M.  Barrows— Wounded  in  left  ankle,  at  Opequan.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 
Mancel  Barrows— In  all  the  battles,  and  never  wounded. 

Oscar  Bennett— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Deposit,  N.  Y.,  on  his  way  home  on 
a  furlough,  Oct.  20,  '64.  He  expired  on  platform  of  depot,  after  being  removed 
from  the  cars.  ^ 

Luman  Bentley — Instantly  killed  at  Pleasant  Hill. 
John  C.  Bliven— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  may  1,  '64. 
Merritt  Bolt— Discharged  for  disability,  June  22,  '63,  at  Brashear. 
Henry  Bowers — Detailed  for  some  time  in  Commissary  Dept. 
Perry  Bowers— Died  of  disease  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Oct.  28,  '63. 
Chauncey  A.  Bradley— Wounded  in  shoulder  at  Opequan,  severely. 
Addison  A.  Bush— Died  of  diptheria,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Dec.  21,  '62. 
Jeremiah  Calvert— Discharged  for  heart  disease,  May  10,  '64. 
Bailey  Cartwright— Detailed  for  nearly  year  at  H'd  Q'rs  Mid.  Mil.  Div. 
Henry  C.  Copley— A  recruit,  enlisting  Aug.  31,  '64. 

David  Coughlin— Detailed  in  hospital  at  Frederic,  Md.,  from  Sept.  15,  '64,  till 
muster-out. 
Edward  C.  Coville— Discharged  at  Armory  Square  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C., 

May  15,  '65. 

Henry  A.  Crumb — Always  on  duty  with  the  Regt. 
George  A.  Decker — Wounded  at  Opequan ;   three  days  after  Recovery,  he  was 

killed  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Ira  W.  Dibble— For  a  time  detailed  as  baker  at  Martinsburg,  Va 
Henry  Driggs— Died  at  New  Orleans,  July  30,  '64,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 
Waterman  Ensworth— Died  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  June  15,  '63,  of 

chronic  diarrhea.    Lost  a  finger  at  Bisland. 
Oliver  Ferris— A  recwit,  enlisting  Sept.  1,  '64. 
Hugh  Gaffeney— Di|charged  for  disability,  May  18.  '65,  at  McKim's  Hospital, 

Baltimore.    Wounded  in  right  thigh  at  Opequan. 
Michael  Gaffeiiey— Enlisted  Sept.  3,  '64.    Died  Nov.  9,  '64,  at  Philadelphia,  of 

wounds  in  left  ankle,  received  at  Cedar  Creek.    He  dfd  duty  only  three  days. 
Scott  Gilbert— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  York,  June  9,  '63. 
Andrew  Grobert— Never  absent  from  duty. 

Albert  H.  Hart— Died  of  consumption,  at  New  Milford,  Pa.  March  25,  '65. 
Thomas  P.  Hatton— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64. 
Leroy  N.  Havens— Shot  in  temple,  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  instantly  killed. 
James  Hayes— Wounded  in  cheek,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Ansel  Holmes — Died  of  diptheria  and  fever,   at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 

Monroe,  Feb.  8,  '63. 
Asa  Holmes— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Nov. 

1,  '63. 

William  Jobman— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  June  27,  '63. 
John  E.  Johnson— Discharged  Feb.  3,  '04,  by  reason  of  St.  Vitus '  dance,  produced 
by  the  near  explosion  of  shell,  which  shattered  his  gun  and  prostrated  hie 
nervous  system. 
William  C.  Jones — Sick  in  hospital  a  year  at  a  time. 

35 


540  APPENDIX. 

William  A.  Landon-Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64. 

Alexander  Leach— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  Nov.  16,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

George  A.  Mallory— Wounded  in  mouth,  at  Port  Hudson,  from  the  effect  of  which 

he  was  discharged  at  Franklin,  La.,  Feb.  15,  '64. 

James  A.  Manley— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  31,  '63. 
Lorson  D.  Merrill— Instantly  killed  at  Opequan. 
Jacob  Morgan— A  recruit,  enlisted  Sept.  2,  '64.    Discharged  for  disability,  May 

18,  '65. 

William  O.  Nash— A  faithful  soldier. 
James  K.  Nevel— Died  of  fever,  at  Brashear,  May  5,  '63. 
William  A.  Newton— Died  of  wounds  received  at  Opequan,  Nov.  20,  '64. 
Austin  Palmer— Died  of  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  May  1,  '63. 
Orrin  R.  Palmer— Was  detached  for  a  long  time.    Brother  of  Austin. 
George  W.  Payne— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  64. 
Stephen  Pettis— Enlisted  Sept.  3,  '64. 
Franklin  B.  Phinney— Wounded  in  right  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek,  from  'the  effect  of 

which  he  was  discharged,  May  5,  '65,  at  Hattington  Hospital,  Philadelphia. 
George  Preston— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  June  17,  '64. 
Thomas  F.  Preston — Father  of  the  above  soldier. 
James  H.  Prince— In  most  of  the  battles,  and  never  wounded. 
William  E.  Prince— Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.,  '63,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New 

Orleans. 

John  Rhodes— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  '64.  Joined  the  Regt.  the  16th  Oct.,  and  was 
wounded  in  left  thigh,  the  19th  Oct.,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Mustered  out  iu  hospital, 
in  Philadelphia,  July,  '65. 

Oscar  F.  Root— Died  of  fever,  Sept.  3,  '63,  at  Brashear. 

John  W.  Sage— Enlisted  Sept.  12,  '64.    Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  sup 
posed  to  have  died  in  Richmond,  Va.  ~'.  9  , 
Ransom  E.  Sage— Wounded  in  head,  at  Opequan. 
Jacob  Shlpman— Died  of  jaundice,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug".  4,'.'63.    Wounded  at 

Port  Hudson. 

Erastus  L.  Sill— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  '64.    Wounded  in  left  thumb,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Died  of  traumatic  fever,  at  Jarvis  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  Nov.  2,*'64.    He  join 
ed  the  Regt.  on  the  16th  of  Oct.    His  remains  were  brought  home  by  his  father, 
Dr.  Sill,  and  buried  in  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 
Edson  Sisson— Died  suddenly,  of  heart  disease,  in  the  company  street  at  Camp 

Hubbard,  Thibodeaux,  La.,  July  17,  '63. 
Henry  Sisson— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  22,  '63,  but 

died  the  following  day.    Brother  of  Edson. 
Charles  C.  Smith— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans. 

Nov.  13,  63. 

Charles  F.  Smith— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  June  7,  '63. 
Orlando  Smith— Shot  through  the  heart  and  instantly  killed,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Richmond  Snell— Died  of  fever,  at  Camden  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Sept.  13, 

•62.    The  first  death  in  the  Regt. 

William  A.  Southworth— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New 
.    Orleans,  June  1,  '63. 


APPENDIX.  541 

Emory  R.  Southworth— Disch'd  for  disability,  at  Washington^  D.  C.,  Oct.  21,  '64. 

James  Tanzy — Detailed  for  a  long  time  as  Colonel's  Orderly. 

Riverus  H.  Trask — Wounded  in  head  at  Opequan. 

Daniel  W.  Tyler— Wounded  in  thigh  at  Opeqnan  ;  mustered  out  in  hospital,  June 

17,  '65. 
Clolus  Valentine— Enlisted  Nov.  21,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  upon  the 

muster  out  of  the  114th. 

Eddie  P.  Wade— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe  ;  date  unknown. 
Alvah  Warner— Dischacged  for  disability,  at  New  York,  Jan.  31,'  '65. 
Milo  Webb — Wounded  accidentally  in  ankle,  at  Port  Hudson,  and  lost  his  leg  in 

consequence.    Discharged  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.,  '63. 
Walter  F.  Weed— Badly  wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  mouth  and  chin ;  mustered 

out  in  hospital. 

Loren  J.  West— Deserted,  Oct.  12,  '62,  at  Camp  Belger.    Captured,  court-martial 
ed,  and  sentenced  to  be  confined  during  his  period  of  enlistment,  at  Fort  Mc- 

Heury.    Subsequently  pardoned  and  discharged.    He  re-enlisted  in  another 

Regt.,  again  deserted,  and  was  arrested  and  taken  to  Washington,  where  he  died 
"of  disease. 

Willis  Wheeler— Detailed  for  some  time  at  Frederic,  Md. 
Orville  C.  Wilkinson,  Jr— Come  out  without  wounds. 
John  Williams— Enlisted  March  16,  '65,  and  deserted  May  15,  '65.    Formerly  a 

rebel  soldier  from  South  Carolina,  captured  at  the  battle  of  Bull  Run. 
Freeborn  S.  Young — Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  25,  '63,  from  the  effects  of 

wounds  received  at  Port  Hudson,  June  11,  63. 

Henry  L.  Young— Died  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  of  fever,  June  4,  '63. 
Seth  J.  Young— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  May  15,  '65. 
Wilber  F.  Young— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek ;  died  Nov.  29,  '64,  during  the 

operation  of  amputation,  at  Philadelphia. 
Ernst  Zieman— Wounded  in  back  of  head,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Discharged  for  wounds 

May  13,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Alfred  Giston— Under  cook  of  African  descent.    Enlisted  March  1,  '64.    Deserted 

July  29,  '64,  at  Harper's  Ferry,  Va. 
Israel  Jenkins— Under  cook  of  African  descent.    Enlisted  March  1,  '64.    Deserted 

July  4,  '64,  at  New  Orleans,  La. 


COMPANY   B. 

Captain  Jacob  S.  Bockee— The  original  Captain  of  the  Company.  Detached  at 
different  times,  in  the  several  capacities  of  Acting  Ordnance  officer  of  a  Division 
and  Corps,  and  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General,  Was  also  at  one  time  on 
a  Military  Commission,  and  in  the  fall  of '63  was  on  recruiting  service  at  Elmira, 
N.  Y.  Severely  wounded  at  Opeqnan— a  ball  passing  entirely  through  his  left 
lung. 

First  Lieutenant  Lauren  M.  Nichols— Honorably  discharged  on  resignation,  Dec. 
22,  '63,  Again  entered  the  service  in  another  Regt.,  and  served  till  the  end  of 
the  war. 


542  APPENDIX. 

Isaac  B.  Burch— Entered  the  service  as  a  private.  Promoted  let  Sergeant,  June 
7,  '63.  Promoted  2d  Lieutenant,  vice  Gibson,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Promoted  1st 
Lieutenant,  vice  Nichols  Aug.  11,  '64.  Died  of  wounds  received  at  Cedar 
Creek,  Oct.  21,  '64.  (See  page  525.) 

First  Lieutenant  Dennis  Thompson— Joined  the  Regt.  as  1st  Sergeant  of  Co.  I. 
Promoted  2d  Lieutenant,  June  14,  '63,  but  never  mustered  to  that  grade.  Pro 
moted  1st  Lieutenant,  NOY.  14,  '64,  and  assigned  to  Co.  B,  vice  Burch.  He 
was  for  a  long  time  connected  with  the  ambulance  train,  1st  Div.,  and  while 
serving  in  this  capacity  was  taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek.  After  many  perilous 
adventures,  he  escaped  and  joined  the  Regt.  in  a  few  weeks. 

Second  Lieutenant  Edwin  O .  Gibson — Entered  the  service  in  the  above  grade. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.  31,  '63,  and  assigned  to  Co.  D.  Promoted  Cap 
tain,  Oct.  19,  '64,  but  failed  to  be  mustered.  Wounded  slightly  at  Sabine  Cross 
Roads.  Again  wounded  in  both  legs  and  taken  prisoner,  May  5,  '64,  at  an  at 
tack  of  guerrillab  upon  the  steamer  John  Warner,  on  the  Red  River.  In  about 
two  months  was  paroled  and  sent  to  Annapolis,  Md.  Afterwards  detached  for 
duty  at  Hart's  Island,  N.  Y.,  where  he  remained  until  the  muster-out.  Now  a 
2d  Lieutenant  in  the  ITth  U.  S.  Infantry. 

First  Sergeant  George  Ballou — Before  the  114th  was  raised,  this  officer  was  a  1st 
Lieutenant  in  the  89th  N.  Y.  Being  discharged  the  service,  he  again  enlisted 
as  a  1st  Sergeant  of  Co.  B,  Wounded  in  the  knee,  at  Bisland,  from  which  he 
died  at  Brashear  City,  June  7,  '63.  For  his  bravery  he  was  recommended  for 
promotion. 

First  Sergeant  Orrin  E.  Wood— Originally  was  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Wounded  slightly  at  Opequan.  No  better  officer. 

Sergeant  David  H.  Bentley— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  7,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
Nov.  24,  '63.  Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  thigh. 

Sergeant  William  M.  Bullis— Accidentally  injured  in  hand,  at  Camp  Belger,  Md., 
for  which  he  was  discharged,  March  11,  '63,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Sergeant  Charlton  C.  Cady— Promoted  Corporal,  Sept.  24,  '62.  Promoted  Ser 
geant,  Sept.  8,  '63.  Slightly  wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 

Sergeant  Horace  Gale— Died  of  bronchitis,  at  New  Iberia,  La.,  Nov.  24,  '63. 
Wounded  by  buck  shot  in  right  shoulder,  at  Port  Hudson. 

Sergeant  Lemuel  Gale— Promoted  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  '63. 

Sergeant  George  W.  Isbell— Corporal  at  organization.  Promoted  to  Sergeant  in 
•63.  Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.  8,  '63.  Died  of  consumption,  on  passage 
home,  on  steamer  America,  Sept.  22,  '65 ;  buried  at  sea. 

Sergeant  Israel  Monroe— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  7,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
Nov.  24,  '63.  Wounded  in  knee,  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  abdomen  .at  Port  Hud- 
aon. 

Corporal  Foster  J.  Blackman— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  22d,  '63.  Wounded  in 
ankle,  at  Opequan. 

Corporal  Jonathan  Bosworth— Originally  a  Corporal.  Reduced  to  the  ranks, 
June  9,  '63.  Again  promoted  Corporal,  May  14,  *65. 

Corporal  Isaac  Evans — Promoted  Corporal,  Nov.  1,  '64. 

Corporal  John  D.  Farrell— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  22,  '63.  Wounded  slightly  in 
forehead,  at  Opequan. 


APPENDIX.  543 

Corporal  George  E.  Hawley —Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Com 
missary  Sergeant,  Oct.  4,  '62. 

Corporal  Albert  Henry — Promoted  Corporal,  Dee.  22,  '(53.  Transferred  to  V.  R.  C., 
Jan.  19,  '65.  Wounded  in  hand  and  neck,  at  Opequan. 

Corporal  Stephen  N.  Leach— Promoted  Corporal,  March  1,  '65.  Wounded  at  Port 
Hudson,  in  thigh. 

Corporal  Perry  Rood— Discharged  for  disability,  May  13,  '63. 

Corporal  Job  Satchell— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  22,  '03. 

Corporal  Edwin  I.  Sawtelle— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec  22,  63  Discharged  Feb. 
24,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  for  disability.  Wounded  in  right  leg,  on  a  skirmish 
line  at  New  Market,  Va. 

Corporal  Madison  Sayles — An  original  Corporal. 

Corporal  Orson  M.  Snow— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  22,  '63.  Wounded  in  leg,  at 
Opequan.  Discharged  for  disability,  May  14,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Corpora]  Albert  Sumner— Promoted  Corporal,  Oct.  4,  '62.  Transferred  to  Non- 
Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Quarter  Master's  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Wounded 
in  right  hand,  at  Port  Hudson,  losing  second  finger. 

Corporal  Adrian  L.  Watson— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  9,  '(53.  Transferred  to  Non- 
Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Commissary  Sergeant,  Sept.  1,  '63.  Discharged  for 
disability,  Aug.  4,  '64. 

Musician  Charles  W.  Dain— Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted*  Prin 
cipal  Musician,  June  28,  '63. 

Charles  Adams— Enlisted  as  wagoner.  Wounded  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads.  Dis 
charged  May  1,  '65,  from  hospital  in  Baltimore. 

George  Agard — Killed  by  the  cars,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  June  17,  '65.     (See  page  495.  j 

Emer  H.  Aldrich— The  only  man  in  the  Regt.  wounded  at  Mansura. 

Franklin  Ames— Wounded  severely  at  Opequan,  in  arm  and  breast. 

John  B.  Baker— Taken  prisoner  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads.  Exchanged  and  returned 
to  duty,  Dec.  9,  '64. 

Joshua  Beckwith— Died  at  Quarantine,  below  New  Orleans,  of  chronic  diarrhea, 
Feb.  12,  '63. 

La  Fayette  Beckwith— Died  at  New  Orleans,  Oct.  5,  'C3,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 

Lyinan  D.  Bogue— Enlisted  Aug.  28,  '64. 

Walter  S.  Bosworth— Discharged  for  disability,  April  11,  '64,  at  New  Orleans, 

"from  injuries  received  from  the  kick  of  a  horse. 

William  W.  Bowers — Wounded  in  left  lung,  at  Port  Hudson,  and  in  consequence 
transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  31,  '64. 

Joseph  L.  Breed — Died  of -disease,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  1,  '63. 

Francis  W.  Brown— Enlisted  Aug.  28,  '64 .    Wounded  in  hand,  at  Opequan,  severe^ 

Leonard  R.  Brown— Enlisted  Aug.  22,  '64.  Instantly  killed  at  Opequau  ;  shot  in 
side  and  head.  Was  a  soldier  but  three  days. 

William  S.  Brown— Enlisted  Aug.  20,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65. 

James  A.  Brownell — Never  wounded. 

John  H.  Bunt— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Quarantine,  Miss.  River,  Feb.  16,  '63. 

Delevan  V.  Burlingame— Enlisted  Aug.  13,  '64.  Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek, 
and  supposed  to  have  died  in  rebeldom. 

Samuel  P.  Butler— Enlisted  Jan.  '64.  Discharged  for  promotion  in  a  colored 
Regc.,  Nov.  6,  '64. 


544  APPENDIX. 

Hanrey  Camp— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64.    Discharged  for  disability,  May  15,  65,  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 
Cyrel  Carpenter— Shot  through  the  head,  at  Opequan,  and  instantly  killed.    An 

excellent  soldier. 
Israel  Carpenter— Enlisted  Jan.  12,  '64.    Wounded  in  the  leg,  at  Opeqnan,  for 

which  he  was  discharged,  May  25,  '65,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y. 
Dennis  L.  Casey— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  both  feet.    Discharged  from  hospital, 

in  Phil.,  in  June,  '65. 
Montezuma  Chase— Enlisted  Dec.  31,  '63.    Died  of  disease,  May  24,  '64,  at  New 

Orleans. 

Ira  Church— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63,  at  Hampt  on,  Va.  . 
Robert  E.  Cole— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  March  1,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
William  H.  Comstock— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64.  Wounded  at  Opeqnan,  in  left  thigh, 

very  severely,  fracturing  bone.    Disch'd  for  disability,  May  13,  '65,  at  Baltimore. 
Monroe  Coy— Enlisted  Aug.  19,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65,  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Ir*  A.  Davis— Died  of  disease,  July  8,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
John  J.  Davis— Died  of  disease,  Aug.  3,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Simeon  Day— Enlisted  Jan.  8,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.   Y.,  May  31,  '65. 

Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  leg. 
Ira  Dodge— Injured  at  Port  Hudson,  by  a  sprain. 
George  Doyle — Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  left  knee. 
Samuel  F.  Edmonds— Wounded  slightly  at  Port  Hudson,  by  bayonet  thrust. 
Solomon  J.  Edwards— Lost  a  finger,  cut  off  in  Convalescent  Camp,  at  Brashear 

City,  and  in  consequence  transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  2,  '65,  at  Washington. 
Samuel  Z.  Egleston— Enlisted  as  musician.    For  some  time  on  hospital  duty  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 

William  H.  Ervine-Enlisted  Dec.  19,  '63.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65. 
Joseph  H.  Felton — Wounded  in  right  arm  at  Port  Hudson.    Detailed  for  a  time  on 

hospital  duty  at  Washington  D.  C. 
Franklin  W.  Fish*-Discharged  f  r  disability,  Feb.  3,  '64,  at  New  Orleans.    He 

acquired  considerable  notoriety  as  a  correspondent  to  Chenango  County  papers, 

under  the  cognomen  of  "  Bumble  Bee."    It  is  reported  that  at  the  battle  of 

Bisland,  he  had  his  wings  clipped,  and  thenceforth  ceased  to  buzz.  ^ 

Orville  Frink— Wounded  slightly  at  Opequan.    Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Exchanged,  and  mustered  out  with  his  Regt. 

Orlow  C.  Pager— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Jan.  IT,  '65,  at  New  Orleans. 
Benjamin  F.  Genuhg— Enlisted  Jan.  19,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65. 
George  Granthan— The  only  man  in  the  Co.,  present  for  duty  at  Opequan,  not  hit. 
Robert  C.  Hall— Enlisted  Jan.  13,  '64.    Died  of  disease,  on  board  hospital  boat 

on  Red  River,  May  14,  '64. 

Edward  Hayes— Discharged  for  disability,  Oct.  20,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Patrick  Henry— Badly  wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  hip.    Discharged  for  disability, 

May  9,  '65,  at  Baltimore. 

Cyrus  Hopkins,  Jr.— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  June  36,  '64,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 
Daniel  Hugh— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa. 
Charles  W.  Hunt— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  March  10,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
Francis  M.  Huntley— Died  of  disease,  July  31,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 


APPENDIX.  545 

William  A.  Huntley— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  81,  '64,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
William  W.  Jackson — Wounded  in  bowels,  at  Opequau,  and  died  the  following 

morning  in  a  field  hospital.    Was  in  all  previous  battles,  and  a  jovial  soldier, 
Horace  T.  Leach — Wounded  severely  in  groin,  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  discharged  at 

Philadelphia,  May  22,  '65. 

Seneca  L.  Lemley— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  1,  '65.    Died  Oct.  3,  '64.  at  Point 
Lookout,  Md. 
Theodore  Lewis— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  the  mouth.    Discharged  at  Now  York, 

Jan.  IT,  '65. 

Edwin  R.  Lont— Died  of  disease,  at  New  Orleans,  Nov.  11,  '63. 
John  E.  Miller— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  31,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
Charles  Monroe— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  June  27,  '63,  at  Donaldsonville,  La. 
Frederick  Monroe — A  recruit,  enlisted  in  '64.    Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Exchanged,  and  afterwards  discharged. 

Orlando  Monroe  -Discharged  for  disability,  Nov.   11,  '63,  at  Frankjin,  La.    After 
wards  died  at  home,  in  Plymouth,  N.  Y. 
Samuel  Monroe— Discharged  for  disability,  Aug.  25,  '65,  at  New  Orleans.    Died 

before  he  left  hospital. 

Henry  Morgan— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  Feb.  16,  '64,  at  Brashear  City. 
John  J.  Nelson,  Jr— Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  11,  '63,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Loren  D.  Newell — Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  hip.  and  seut  to  hospital  at  Martins- 
burg,  where  it  is  supposed  that  he  died.    For  a  long  time  his  fate  was  shrouded 
in  mystery,  but  it  is  now  well  settled  that  he  died  in  the  above  place.    (See 
page  27.) 
Hezekiah  S.  Newton— Shot  in  thigh  and  bowels,  at  Opequan,  and  lived  but  a  few 

minutes.    A  worthy  soldier. 

John  Nichols— Shot  through  the  head,  and  died  instantly,  at  Opeqaau. 
Andrew  Peck— Discharged  for  disability.  Sept.  8,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.    Died  on 

reaching  home,  in  Pitcher,  of  chronic  diarrhea,  Oct.  18,  '63. 
Thomas  Peck— Brother  of  Andrew.    Died  of  ship  fever,  Sept.  26,  '63,  soon  after 

returning  from  the  Sabina  Pass  voyage,  at  Berwick' Bay. 

Divid  E.  Pendell— Detailed  for  a  long  time  as  a  teamster,  and  also  in  pioneer  corps. 
Harrison  Phillips — In  every  battle  and  skirmish,  and  never  wounded. 
David  Porter— Deserted,  Jan.  15,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.    Never  heard  from  since. 

(See  page  108.) 

Orrin  Potter— Detailed  for  some  time  as  Brigade  blacksmith. 
Francis  Quigley— Enlisted  April  6,  '65,  for  the  14th  N.  Y.,  but  by  mistake  was 

sent  to  the  114th  N.  Y.    Transferred  to  the  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65. 
Asa  N.  Rose— Enlisted  Sept.  8,  '64. 

Sylvester  C.  Sargent— Served  a  portion  of  time  as  Company  cook. 
Squire  R.  Sargent— Discharged  for  disability,  Jan.  5,  '63,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Henry  D.  Scott— Died  from  effects  of  measles,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 

Monroe,  Nov.  19,  '62. 
Van  Rensalaer  Scott— Enlisted  Dec.  16,  '63.    Died  of  disease,  July  26,  '64,  at 

Washington,  D.  C.    Father  of  the  above. 

Jonathan  V.  Squires— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 
Monroe,  Jan.  1.  '63. 


I 


546  APPENDIX. 


Perry  Springer— Luckily  never  wounded. 

Sylvester  C.  Squires— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  Sept.  4,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Charles  A.  Sumner— Detailed  as  clerk  and  nurse  in  hospital.  For  about  a  year  he 
was  Acting  Hospital  Steward  for  the  15th  Infantry  Corps  d'Afrique. 

George  Taft— Enlisted  Aug.  20,  64.  Slightly  wounded  in  hip,  at  Opequan ;  cap 
tured  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  taken  to  Salisbury  prison  :  paroled  about  the  20th  ot 
Feb.  '65y*ronght  to  Annapolis,  Md.,  where  he  died  the  22d  of  March,  '65. 

Eleazer  W.  Townsend— Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.  8,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Colonel  Tyler— For  a  long  time  commissary  cook,  and  one  of  the  best.  Wounded 
in  arm  at  Port  Hudson. 

Delos  Tyler— Detailed  as  blacksmith  at  Brigade  and  Division  H'd  Q'rs. 

John  D.  West— Instantly  killed  at  Port  Hudson,  during  the  assault  of  the  14th  of 
June,  '63. 

William  T.  Weston— Shot  entirely  through  the  right  lung,  at  Bisland.  Was 
recommended  for  promotion.  Discharged  for  disability,  March  12,  '64,  at  New 
Orleans. 

Rathbone  G.  Wheeler— Died  July  8,  '63,  at  Baton  Rouge,  of  wounds  received  at 
Port  Hudson. 

William  Willcox— Drowned  at  sea,  upon  the  steamer  Pocahontas,  June  11,  '6U, 
while  proceeding  home  on  sick  furlough.  The  former  vessel  collided  with  the 
steamer  JElectic  Spark,  and  was  sunk  with  nearly  all  aboard. 

Thomas  S.  Wiswell— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  June  10,  '63,  at  Brashear  City. 

Martin  Wolcott— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  April  16,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Josiah  A.  Wood— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
March  5,  '64. 

Reuben  P.  Wood— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  «65. 

John  W.  Wrench — Badly  wounded  at  Opequan,  in  left  shoulder  and  hip. 


COMPANY  C. 

Captain  Platt  Titus— The  original  Captain  of  the  Company.  Resigned  his  com 
mission  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  Aug.  17,  '63. 

Captain  William  H.  Longwell — Before  the  114th  was  organized,  this  officer  was  a 
Corporal  in  the  44th  N.  Y.  During  the  raising  of  the  Regt.,  he  was  recruiting  at 
Norwich.  He  was  discharged  from  his  former  Regt.,  to  receive  promotion  in 
the  114th  N.  Y.,  Aug.  12,  '63,  and  was  commissioned  2d  Lieutenant.  Promoted 
1st  Lieutenant,  and  assigned  to  Co.  D,  July  1,  '63.  Promoted  Captain,  and  re 
turned  to  Co.  C,  Nov.  1,  '63,  in  place  of  Titus.  Wounded  in  left  hand,  at  Port 
Hudson,  and  again  at  Opequan  in  left  hip,  very  badly.  From  this  last  wound 
he  was  so  long  absent  from  duty  as  to  be  discharged  for  disability,  March  2,  '65, 
but  was  immediately  reinstated,  March  11,  '65. 

First  Lieutenant  Shubael  A.  Brooks— The  original  1st  Lieutenant  of  the  Company. 
Honorably  discharged  on  resignation,  Sept.  6,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

First  Lieutenant  Norman  M.  Lewis— Promoted  from  1st  Sergeant  to  2d  Lieutenant, 
Aug.  1,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  vice  Brooks,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Died  at  Win 
chester,  Va  ,  Nov.  10,  '64,  of  wounds  received  at  Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  523.) 


APPENDIX.  547 

First  Lieutenant  John  Bagg— Was  an  original  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant, 
vice  Lewis,  May  27,  '63.  Promoted  2d  Lieatenant,  vice  Lewis,  Nov.  1,  '63,  but 
never  mustered.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  vice  Lewis.  Dec.  24,  '64.  Wounded 
in  shoulder,  at  Opequan. 

First  Sergeant  Lyman  Hall— Entered  the  service  as  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal, 
Dec.  15,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan.  2,  '65.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  vice 
Bagg,  March  1,  '65.  Wounded  in  arm  slightly,  at  Opequan,  and  in  arm  at 
Cedar  Creek. 

Sergeant  Charles  J.  Biggs— Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant,  March  27,  '63. 

Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Sergeant  Major,  Nov.  1,  '63. 

Served  several  years  as  an  officer  in  the  British  army,  and  was  wounded  in  the 

Crimea.    For  further  particulars  see  page  536. 

Sergeant  William  H.  Chamberlain— Was  sent  north  on  recruiting  service,  in  the 

fall  of  '63.    Instantly  killed  at  Cedar  Creek.    (See  page  27.) 
Sergeant  Harlow  Glazier — Badly  injured  by  the  fall  of  a  limb  of  a  tree,  at  Opeq 
uan.    Mustered  out  in  hospital,  in  Philadelphia,  Aug.  11,  65. 
Sergeant  Charles  H.  Lothridge— Promoted  Corporal,  Oct.  15,  '62.    Promoted  Ser 
geant,  Nov.  1,  '63.    Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan,  for  which  he  was  discharged, 
May  IT,  '65. 

Sergeant  Augustus  A.  Nevins— Promoted  Sergeant,  Mar.  1,  '65. 
Sergeant  Eugene  Sherwood— Disch'd  for  disability,  at  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  Nov.  1,  '64 
Sergeant  James  W.  Sherwood— Enlisted  as  Musician,  fcut  was  placed  in  the  ranks, 
Sept.  12,  »62.    Promoted  Corporal,  Oct..  19,  64.    Promoted  Sergeant,  May  17,  '65- 
Wounded  in  face,  at  Pleasant  Hill. 
Sergeant  George  E.  Wood— Promoted  Corporal,  Nov.  1,  '62.    Promoted  Sergeant, 

Oct.  19,  '64.    Although  in  every  battle,  this  soldier  escaped  unharmed. 
Corporal  Franklin  E.   Beckwith— Promoted  Corporal,   May  17,  '65.    Injured  at 

Opequan,  by  being  ran  over  by  General  Seal's  horse.    Brother  of  George. 
Corporal  George  W.  Beckwith— Instantly  killed  at  Port  Hudson,  while  carrying 
the  colors  ol  the  Regt.  during  the  assault  of  the  14th  of  June.    He  earned  a 
high  reputation  for  bravery.    He  formerly  served  in  the  old  17th  N.  Y. 
Corporal  John  A.  Brookins— Sent  north  on  recruiting  service,  in  '63.    Wounded 

in  back,  at  Opeqnan.    Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Washington  D.  C. 
Corporal  Joseph  Crandall— Promoted  Corporal,  Oct.  19,  '64. 
Corporal  Marco  P.  Crandall— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  17,  '65.    Always  on  duty. 
Corporal  George  W.  Crumb— Promoted  Corporal,^Tan.  1,  '65.    Slightly  wounded, 

at  Opequau. 
Corporal  Adam  D.  Dye— Promoted  Corporal,  Feb.  13,  '63.    Transferred  to  V.  R. 

C.  Jan.  17,  '65.  « 

Corporal  Georgt  W.  Hall— Promoted  Corporal,  March  6,   '63.    Discharged  for 

dropsy,  March  5,  '64,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans. 
Corporal  Francis  E.  Hyer— Promoted  Corporal,  March  1,  '65. 
Corporal  Philander  R.  Paul— Promoted  Corporal,  March  1,  '05. 
Corporal  Franklin  Sackett— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  1,  '64.    Wounded  in  thigh 

at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  Homer  W.  Sisson — Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  1,  '63.  Wounded  at  Cedar 
Creek ;  leg  terribly  fractured.  Died  at  Jarvis  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov. 
12,  '64.  His  remains  were  brought  home,  and  buried  in  Plymouth,  N.  Y. 


548  APPENDIX. 

Corporal  Albert  D.  Wood— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  1,  '64.  Wounded  in  leg,  at 
Opequan.  Killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  by  a  wonnd  in  the  bowela.  Participated  in 
most  of  the  battles,  and  was  a  brave  soldier. 

Musician  Bolivar  Aldrich — Transferred  to  Non.  Com.  Staff,  March  1,  '65,  and  pro 
moted  Principal  Musician.  Again  transferred  to  Co.  C,  May  19,  '65. 

Charles  W.  Adams— Discharged  for  hernia,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 
Monroe,  in  Feb'y  of  '63. 

Albert  D.  Aylesworth— Discharged  ior  disability,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 
Monroe,  in  Feb'y  of  '63. 

William  J.  Beach— Mustered  out  with  Regt. 

Abram  Bennett— Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek,  and  confined  in  Salisbury  pris 
on  until  after  the  muster-out  of  the  Regt. 

Franklin  Boice— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Camp  Hubbard,  Thibodeaux,  La., 
Aug.  IT,  '63. 

Asa  Brazee— Enlisted,  Aug.  26,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65 . 

John  S.  Brazee— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 

John  G.  Breed— Detailed  for  over  a  year  in  hospital. 

John  T.  Bronsou-  Enlisted,  Sept.  1,  '64. 

Joseph  Brooks— Wounded  severely  in  right  leg,  at  Opequan. 

George  W.  Button— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  June  6,  '63. 

Henry  D.  Clark— Enlisted,  Aug.  23,  '64. 

Chauncey  W.  Cobb — Wounded  in  leg,  and  face,  severe,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Dischar 
ged,  April  13,  '65,  at  Philadelphia. 

Daniel  V.  Cornell— Enlisted,  Aug.  29,  '64. 

Edward  E.  Crandall— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  June  24,  '64,  at  Morgaoza,  La. 

Elijah  Craudall— Detailed  as  teamster,  at  Div.  H'd  Qr's.    Brother  of  Edward. 

Joseph  L.  Crandall— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Aug.  6,  '63. 

William  S.  Crandall— Died  of  fever,  at  Berwick  City,  La.,  May  9,  '63. 

Benjamin  F.  Dalton— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Aug.  1,  '64. 

Charles  H.  De  Forest— Enlisted,  Aug.  13,  '64. 

Daniel  Dibble— Detailed  as  bass-drummer. 

Lyman  Duran— Wounded  in  abdomen,  at  Opequan,  and  died  in  a  few  hours. 

John  C.  Durphy — Instantly  killed,  at  Opequau  ;  being  shot  tli rough  the  head. 

Adelbert  Eddy— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Edgar  H.  Eddy— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Willard  W.  Finch— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  July  1,  '63. 

Marvin  A.  Frink— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  6,  '63. 

R.  L.  Garlick— Enlisted,  Sept.  5,  '64 

Edward  C.  Gran nis— Discharged  for  disability,  March  12,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Jonathan  W.  Green— Died  of  fever,  Oct.  11,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Erastns  Gregory— Instantly  killed,  during  the  seige  of  Port  Hudson,  June  14,  '63. 
The  top  of  his  head  was  carried  off  by  a  rebel  sharp-shooter,  while  he  was  in 
the  trenches,  sitting  upon  a  log,  and  reading  his  testament.  He  left  a  wife  and 
five  children,  in  Guilford,  N.  Y. 

Benjamin  F.  Guile— Severely  wounded  in  back,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Died,  it  ia  sup 
posed,  in  hospital  soon  after. 

Charles  C.  Hall— Discharged  at  Frederick,  Md.,  in  May,  '65,  for  an  injury  to  his 
wrist,  received  at  Morganzia,  La. 


APPENDIX.  549 

Robert  Hancock— Recruit,  enlisting  Sept.  1,  H>4.    Taken  Rrieoner  at  Cedar  Creek, 

and  died  in  Salisbury  prison,  Dec.  28,  '64. 

John  Hanrahan— Wounded  severely  in  jaw,  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads. 
Root  Hubble— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress  Monroe, 

in  Feb.  of  '63. 
Loren  H.  Janes— Wounded  in  left  knee,  Sept.  24,  '64,  on  a  skirmish  line,  near 

New  Market,  Va.,  while  in  pursuit  ef  the  rebel  army.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 
George  R.  Johnson— Captured  by  Mosby'e  guerrillas,  near  Charlestown,  Va.,  but 

escaped  the  same  day,  by  his  captors  being  captured. 
George  W.  Jones— Captured  and  paroled  at  Brashear  City,  La.     Wounded  in  leg, 

at  Opequan,  but  remained  with  the  Regt.    Severely  wounded  in  leg,   at  Cedar 

Creek,  f.om  which  he  died,  Nov.  12,  '64,  at  Philadelphia.    No  better  soldier. 
John  N.  Keller— Detailed  a  long  time  as  teamster.    Had  the  beet  kept  mules  in 

the  army. 

Allen  La  Due— Died  of  fever,  atJBaton  Rouge,  La.,  July  29,  '63. 
Charles  F.  Lamphere — Severely  wounded  in  foot,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Transferred  to 

V.  R.  C.,  and  discharged  a  few  days  before  the  Regt. 
James  H.  Lamphere— Faithfully  served  as  Company  cook. 
Delos  Leonard— Deserted,  Jan.  14,  '63,  at  Camp  Chalmette,  near  New  Orleans. 

(See  page  108.) 

Willard  F.  Lewis— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  6,  '63. 
George  W.  Lyon— Never  absent  from  his  Company  a  single  day.    Frequently  shot 

through  his  knapsack  and  clothes,  but  never  wounded. 
John  F.  Mathewson — Died  of  fever,  at  New  Orleans,  June,  '63. 
Ebenezar  Me  Clintock — Transferred  to  Non.  Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Hospital 

Steward,  Sept.  30,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md.   Afterwards  discharged.    (See  page  536.) 
John  Me  Cormick— Wounded  in  leg,  slightly,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Charles  H.  Mitchell— Enlisted,  Jan.  8,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65. 

For  some  time  a  mounted  orderly  at  Div.  H'd  Q'rs. 
Edgar  Newton— Shot  in  the  neck,  and  instantly  killed,  at  Opequan. 
Henry  Newton— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  Dec.  6,  '62,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fort 
ress  Monroe.    Brother  of  the  above. 

Joseph  Newton,  Jr. — During  most  of  his  service,  he  was  detailed  as  hostler. 
Winslow  Newton— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Daniel  Nichols— Died  of  fever,  March  30,  '63,  at  Quarantine,  on  Miss.  River. 
Eli  Nichols— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Mrrch  1,  »64,  at  Franklin,  La. 
Asel  W.  Paul— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  and  for^a  long  time  on 

duty  at  Marine  Hospital. 

Sylvester  Phillips — Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 

Ensign  M.  Pike — Wounded  in  leg  severely,  at  Opequan.  Mustered  out  in  hospital . 
David  W.  Place — Died  suddenly,  Feb.  12,  '63,  while  en-route  from  Quarantine  to 

rejoin  his  Company  at  New  Orleans. 

Orman  M.  Potter— Died  of  consumption,  Nov.  6,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Edgar  Redington— Enlisted  Sept.  7,  '64. 
Andrew  Ryan— Enlisted  Jan.  13,  '64.    Shot  himself  accidentally  ;  leg  amputat  ed» 

and  died  from  the  effects,  Nov.  9,  '64,  at  Frederick,  Md. 
Francis  P.  Secor—Detailed  at  various  times  on  special  duty. 


550  APPENDIX. 

William  B.  Sanders— Enlisted  Jan.  8,  '64.  Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek. 
While  confined  in  Libby  prison,  transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  31,  '65.  Died  of 
chronic  diarrhea,  in  the  above  prison,  some  time  in  1865. 

Levi  L.  Secor— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  July  15,  '63,  at  Donaldsonville,  La. 

George  E.  Sherman— Mustered  out  with  Co. 

Samuel  Stiles— Discharged  for  disability,  April  5,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Wait  Stiles— Died  of  congestive  chills,  Sept.  IT,  '63,  at  Berwick  City,  La. 

James  L.  Talbot— Absent  a  long  time  from  sickness. 

Lyman  L.  Talbot— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  in  Sept.  of '64.  0 

William  D.  Talbot-Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64. 

Jeremiah  Tinker— Transferred  to  Corps  d'Afrique,  Oct.  '63,  and  promoted  Hos 
pital  Steward. 

James  Townsend — Detailed  during  most  of  his  service,  as  a  clerk  at  different.  H'd 
Q're,  and  for  Court  Martials. 

Rnfus  Tracy— Died  at  New  Orleans,  of  diptheria,  Aug.  19,  '63. 

Charles  Turner — Deserted  at  Port  Hudson  in  face  of  the  enemy.  Captured,  tried 
by  a  Court  Martial,  and  sentenced  to  be  shot  to  death  by  musketry :  which  sen 
tence  was  carried  into  execution  Dec.  28,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.  (See  page  27T.) 

Orlando  Utter— Wounded  severely  in  head  and  foot,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Mustered 
out  in  hospital. 

Lavader  M.  Wheeler— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Isaiah  White— Enlisted  Sept.  2,  '64. 

John  White— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  June  IT,  64. 

Solomon  White — Wounded  in  face,  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads. 

William  R.  White— Enlisted  Sept.  6,  '64. 

Sobieski  Wiswell— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Ira  Wiltie— Died  of  fever,  Feb.  8,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

William  H.  Wood-Discharged  for  disability,  Nov.  1,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

James  E.  Woodmansee — Killed  instantly,  while  carrying  the  Regimental  colors , 
at  Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  45T.J 

John  Mason— Under  cook  of  African  descent.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  May  SI, 
'65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


COMPANY  D. 

Captain  Henry  B.  Morse— Was  the  original  Captain  of  the  Company,  but  was 
promoted  Major  immediately  after  the  Regt.  was  organized.  (See  page  534.) 

Captain  Willie  M.  Rexford— When  the  114th  was  raised  this  officer  was  a  Sergeant 
in  the  44th  N.  Y.  He  was  commissioned  Captain  of  Co.  D,  vice  Morse,  directly 
after  the  Regt.  was  organized.  Dec.  31,  '62,  he  was  commissioned  Major  of  the 
131  N.  Y.  He  was  afterwards  promoted  Lieutenant  Colonel. 

Captain  Daniel  C.  Knowlton— Originally  was  1st  Lieutenant  of  Co.  K.  Promoted 
Captain,  and  assigned  to  Co  D,  vice  Rexford,  Aug.  10,  '63.  Instantly  killed  at 
Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  518.)  » 

<aptain  Nelson  W.  Schermerhorn— Was  originally  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  I.  Pro 
moted  1st  Lieutenant  in  a  few  days  after  the  Regt.  was  full.  Promoted  Captain, 


APPENDIX.  551 

* 

and  assigned  to  Co.  D,  vice  Knowlton,  Jan.  20,  '65  ;  and,  in  this  capacity  was 
mustered  out  of  service.  Slightly  wounded,  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  right  leg.  De 
tached  for  nearly  a  year,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  in  draft  rendezvous. 

First  Lieutenant  James  E.  Wedge — Entered  service  as  1st  Lieutenant,  and  aided 
to  recruit  his  Company.  Was  compelled  to  resign  for  disability,  Jan.  9,  '63. 

First  Lieutenant  William  H.  Longwell— Originally  was  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  C. 
Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  vice  Wedge,  July  1,  'G3,  and  assigned  to  Co.  D. 
Promoted  Captain  of  Co.  C,  Nov.  1,  '63.  (See  page  546.) 

First  Lieutenant  Edwin  O.  Gibson — Originally  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  B.  Promo 
ted  1st  Lieutenant,  and  assigned  to  Co.  D,  vice  Longwell,  Oct.  '63. 

Second  Lieutenant  Smith  H.  Case— Originally  a  2d  Lieutenant.  Resigned  his 
commission  for  disability,  Jan.  13,  '63.  Since  that  time  he  has  served  in  a 
New  York  Heavy  Artillery  Regiment. 

Second  Lieutenant  Truman  J.  Smith— Entered  the  service  as  a  Sergeant.  Promo 
ted  2d  Lieutenant,  Aug.  1,  '63.  Wounded  in  head,  at  Port  Hudson.  Wounded 
in  breast,  at  Opequan.  Commanded  his  Company  for  several  months  after  the 
death  of  Knowlton. 

First  Sergeant  James  S.  Stewart — Orderly  Sergeant  from  the  start.  Promoted  2d 
Lieutenant  in  April  of '63,  but  never  mustered  to  that  grade.  Discharged,  Aug. 
IT,. '63,  at  New  Orleans,  from  injuries  received  on  board  Steamer  Cahawba,  en- 
route  for  Port  Hudson. 

First  Sergeant  Joseph  Reed — Was  at  first  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant, 
vice  Stewart,  June  14,  '63.  Wounded  in  right  ankle,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Dis 
charged,  March  6,  '65,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

First  Sergeant  John  Carroll — Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  1, 
'63.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Nov.  1,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  May  T,  '65. 

Sergeant  Joshua  Beal — Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal,  June  14,  '63. 
Promoted  Sergeant,  Dec.  1,  '63.  Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  nose  and  cheek. 
Wounded  severely  in  shoulder,  at  Opequan. 

Sergeant  Albert  Brown — Originally  a  Corporal.  Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  the 
mouth ;  teeth  shot  out.  Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  both  legs.  Transferred  to  V. 
R.  C.,  at  York,  Pa.,  Feb.  4,  '65. 

Sergeant  Miles  D.  Chamberlain— Instantly  killed  at  the  assault  upon  Port  Hud 
son,  June  14,  '63.  Was  Acting  Orderly  at  the  time  of  his  death. 

Sergeant  Samuel  S.  Dunton — Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan. 
2T,  '63.  Wounded  in  thigh  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Sergeant  Edward  Evans— Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal,  Nov.  1, '63 . 
Promoted  Sergeant,  March  1,  65.  Always  with  his  Company,  on  duty. 

Sergeant  Norman  G.  Humphrey — Died  at  CarroHton,  La.,  of  ship  fever,  Jan  f,  '63. 

Sergeant  Joel  C.  Richmond— Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan.  IS, 
'63.  Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Nov.  15,  '63. 

Corporal  Eugene  Brown— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  11,  '63.  Detailed  at  draft  ren- 
devous  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  for  nearly  a  year. 

Corporal  Daniel  Carey— Promoted  Corporal,  Aiig.  11,  '65.  Wounded  at  Opoquan, 
in  right  knee.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  Andrew  J.  Carpenter— Promoted  Corporal,  May,  1,  '65. 

Corporal  George  Cramph in— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  21,  '63.    Wounded  in  left 


552  APPENDIX. 

arm,  at  Port  Hudson.    Killed  at  Opequau.    Hie  remains  were  afterwards  dis 
interred  by  his  father,  Mr.  George  Cramphin,  brought  home,  and  buried  at  Eaton. 

Corporal  Willard  E.  Durfee— Detailed  for  over  a  year  as  Brigade  wagon-master. 

Corporal  Lewis  P.  Jones— Promoted  Corporal,  Feb.  12,  '03.  Killed  at  the  assault 
on  Port  Hudson,  June  14,  '63.  One  of  the  best  of  soldiers. 

Corporal  Edward  H.  Lewis — Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  21,  '63.  Wounded  in  leg  at 
Opequan.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Corporal  Willian  H.  Ransom— Discharged  for  disability,  Aug.  T,  '63,  at  Fortress 
Monroe. 

Corporal  Alfred  A.  Richardson— Discharged  for  disability,  March  10,  '63,  at  Balti 
more,  Md. 

Corporal  William  J.  Spicer— Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  11,  '63.  Died  at  Winches 
ter,  Va.,  Dec.  19,  '64,  of  wounds  received  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Corporal  Elias  J.  Thomas— Promoted  Corporal,.  Nov.  1,  '64.  Wounded  at  Opequan, 
in  neck. 

Musician  Henry  M.  Loomis— Served  as  drummer  through  the  service. 

Musician  Truman  Z.  Wedge— Brother  of  Lieutenant  Wedge.  Died  suddenly,  at 
Franklin,  La.,  Jan.  17,  '64,  of  disease  of  the  head.  He  had  just  closed  a  letter  to 
his  father  in  Lebanon,  N.  Y. 

Henry  D.  Ayer— Killed  at  the  assault  on  Port  Hudson,  June  14,  '63. 

Andrew  J.  Bailey— Died  in  hospital  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  Aug.  2,  '64. 

Isaac  Ballou— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63,  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

William  H.  Bennett— Killed  instantly  by  being  shot  through  the  heart,  at  Opequan. 
Buried  on  the  field,  alongside  his  intimate  companion,  Corporal  Cramphin. 

Thaddeus  J.  Bisbee— Served  as  cook  in  hospital  department. 

Charles  W.  Brasse— Wounded  in  leg  at  Opequan.    Discharged  May  13,  '65. 

William  Brasse— Discharged  for  hemorrhage  of  the  lungs,  March  14,  '63,  at  Balti 
more,  Md.  Subsequently  died  at  his  father's  house,  in  Earlville,  April  1,  '63. 

Henry  D.  Brigham— Wounded  with  minnie  ball  in  left  arm  at  Port  Hudson,  and 
slightly  at  Opequan. 

David  E.  Bristol— Wounded  in  right  shoulder  at  Port  Hudson ;  also  hit  at  Opequan. 

Charles  Brown— Wounded  severely  in  thigh,  at  Cedar  Creek  ;  also  wounded  at 
Port  Hudson,  for  which  he  was  discharged  at  Philadelphia,  April  13,  '65. 

George  W.  Burlingham— Participated  in  every  battle,  and  never  wounded. 

Aaron  Christie— Enlisted  Feb.  2,  '65.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65,  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

George  Collins— Mortally  Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  head,  from  which  he  died  the 
following  day,  Sept.  20,  '64,  in  Div.  Field  Hospital. 

Johff  Collins— Enlisted  Feb.  2,  '65.  Transferred  to  9th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65,  at  Wash 
ington,  D.  C. 

Henry  J.  Crumb— Wounded  in  head,  at  Pleasant  Hill.  Captured  and  taken  to 
Tyler,  Texas.  Afterwards  paroled  and  sent  to  Camp  Parole,  Annapolis,  Md. 
Exchanged  in  the  spring  of  1865,  when  he  joined  the  Regt,  and  was  mustered 
out  with  it.  '<t^ 

John  P.  Davis— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  nose  and  cheek, 

Patrick  Devaney— Wounded  in  right  arm  at  Port  Hudson ;  mortally  wounded  at 
Opequan,  in  bowels,  and  died  the  following  day. 


APPENDIX.  553 

Ephraim  A.  Drew — Left  sick  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  1,  '62,  and  supposed  to  have 

been  discharged  afterwards. 
Lyman  S.  Dunbar — Slightly  wounded  at  Port  Hudson.    Died  of  ship  fever,  on 

board  steamer  Cahaioba,  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  Sept.  9,  '68.    (See  page  251.) 
Owen  J.  Edwards— Wounded  in  left  arm,  at  Opequan.    In  two  hours  after  his 
arm  was  amputated,  he  was  carding  water  to  wounded  men.    Discharged  at 
Frederick,  Md.,  Nov.  23,  '64. 
Wightman  Erekine— Wounded  in  head  at  Port  Hudson ;  also  in  left  hand,  at 

Opequan. 

John  P.  Finuey — Died  at  Donaldsonville,  La.,  July  29,  '63,  of  acute  dysentery. 
Edward  B.  Gifford— Transferred  to  Corps  d'Afrique,  to  receive  promotion,  May 

19,  '64. 
Lucius  M.  Gifford — Wounded  in  side,  at  Opequan,  from  which  he  died  Sept.  26, 

'64,  at  Winchester,  Va.    A  worthy  man. 

Caleb  E.  Hamblin— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Sept.  23,  '63. 
Charles  D.  Henry— Enlisted  Sept.  1,  '64. 

William  R.  Henry — Discharged  at  Eaton,  N.  Y.,  while  home  on  furlough,  for  dis 
ability,  Nov.  2,  '63.    He  died  the  following  day. 
Thomas  J.  Hitchcock— Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  the  head.    Discharged  at 

Philadelphia,  May  5,  '65. 

Palmer  B.  Holdrick— Died  of  ship  fever,  at  Ship  Island,  Miss.,  Dec.  16,  '62. 
Henry  S.  Jenks — Detailed  as  orderly  for  Generals  Dvvight  and  Emory. 
John  E.  Jones— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Sept.  1,  '63. 
William  J.  Jones— Died  at  Cleveland,  O.,  Sept.  10,  '63,  while  proceeding  home  on 

furlough. 

Thomas  E.  Jones— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  York  City,  Dec.  24,  '62. 
William  J.  Kiuney,  Jr.— Wounded  in  shoulder  at  Port  Hudson.    Died  at  New 

Orleans,  Sept.  12,  '63. 
Henry  A.  Laselle— Detailed  for  a  long  time  as  Commissary  at  Barracks  Hospital, 

New  Orleans. 

Benjamin  F.  Lawton— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  May  26,  '63. 
Horatio  E.  Leach— Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Franklin,  La.,  Jan.  19,  '64. 
James  C.  Lee — Wounded  slightly  at  Opequan. 
Phillip  W.  Lont— Died  of  disease,  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  13,  '63. 
James  H.  Lont — Wounded  in  hand,  at  Opequan. 
Phillip  D.  Macumber — Never  wounded. 
William  M.  Macumber— Lost  a  thumb  at  Port  Hudson. 
John  Merritt— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 
James  Montana — A  long  time  sick  in  hospital. 
Joseph  Montana— Enlisted  Jan.  1,  65.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65,  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Alfred  A.  Morse— Enrolled  Aug.  26,  '63.    Severely  wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in 
leg  ;  his  limb  was  amputated.    He  died  Nov.  24,  at  Winchester,  Va.    Hia  re 
mains  were  buried  at  Eaton,  N.  Y.    An  intelligent  young  man,  and  a  brave  and 
conscientious  soldier.    He  was  a  brother  of  Colonel  Morse. 
Martin  B.  Morse— Died  suddenly,  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Franklin,  La.,  Jan.  IT,  '64. 
Griff  Morris— Wounded  in  neck,  by  buck  shot,  at  Port  Hudson.    Discharged  Sept. 
22,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.    He  enlisted  again  in  the  6th  N.  Y.  Heavy  Artillery. 


554^.  APPENDIX. 

Isaac  Odell— Lost  his  left  thumb  at  Bisland.  Served  from  that  time  as  Company 
cook. 

Jacob  Odell — Slightly  wounded  at  Opequan. 

Alvah  H.  Owen— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Sept.  1,  '63. 

Birdsall  J.  Owen— Never  absent  from  duty. 

Dennison  D.  Palmer— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  July  4,  '63. 

James  R.  Pangburn— Died  of  disease,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Dec.  13,  '62. 

Myron  D  Peavy— Deserted  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  5,  '62.  Arrested  and  brought 
to  the  Regt.  at  Donaldsonville,  La.  Before  brought  to  trial,  he  died  in  hospital 
at  New  Orleans. 

Edwin  R.  Perry— Died  of  consumption,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  15,  '63. 

Ira  G.  Powell— Absent  iu  hospital  for  nearly  two  years.  Wounded  in  arm  at 
Opequan. 

William  W.  Ransom— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Aug.  7,  '65. 

Joseph  Reed— Wounded  in  right  ankle  at  Cedar  Creek.  Discharged  May  6,  '65,  at 
Philadelphia. 

G.  G.  W.  Richardson— Died  of  cholera,  July  1,  '63,  at  Port  Hudson. 

Albert  D.  Richmond — A  brother  of  Sergeant  Richmond.  Discharged  for  hernia, 
at  Lebanon,  N.  Y.,  April  1,  '64. 

William  H.  Roberts— Died  at  Berwick  City,  April  17,  '63,  of  wounds  received  at 
Bisland.  Shot  in  the  head,  and  unconscious  till  his  death.  He  was  the  second 
man  in  the  Regt.  who  died  from  wounds  received  in  action,  and  a  model  soldier. 

Daniel  W.  Salisbury— Deserted  from  furlough,  and  never  heard  from  since. 

Myron  D.  Shipman— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  March  29,  '65,  in  Div.  Field  Hos 
pital,  at  Camp  Sheridan,  Stevenson's  Depot,  Va. 

Byron  W.  Smith— Died  at  Port  Hudson,  June  17,  '63,  of  wounds  in  the  head,  re 
ceived  during  the  assault  of  the  14th  of  June. 

William  Smith—Enlisted  Feb.  2,  '65.  Deserted  April  21, '65,  by  jumping  from 
the  cars  at  the  Relay  House,  Md. 

William  C.  Smith— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Fenner,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  22,  '63,  while 
home  on  furlough. 

Otis  P.  Snyder — Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek,  for  which  he  was  discharged 
May  3,  '65. 

James  E.  Stalker— Was  in  all  the  campaigns. 

Alviu  W.  Stearns — Wounded  in  left  arm  at  Port  Hudson  ;  also  severely  in  foot, 
at  Opequan.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Charles  J.  Steves— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  shoulder  and  thigh,  from  which  he 
died  Nov.  2,  '64,  at  Winchester,  Va. 

James  H.  Story— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan,  and  limb  amputated.  He  died 
Sept.  30,  '64. 

Parker  E.  Stowell— Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  1,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

James  O.  Taylor— Discharged  in  the  early  part  of  the  service.  All  Company  rec 
ords  concerning  this  man  have  been  lost. 

Nathan  J.  Taylor — Wounded  in  right  arm,  at  Opequan. 

William  A.  Titley-Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  April  28,  '64. 

George  W.  Towsley— Deserted  from  furlough,  Dec.  13,  '64. 

Mark  R.  Waldby— Wounded  in  left  leg,  at  Opequan,  and  amputation  performed 
in  about  a  week  after.  He  died  Sept  SO,  '64,  at  Winchester,  Va. 


APPENDIX.  555 

Avery  Watson— Supposed  to  have  been  drowned  at  sea,  by  the  sinking  of  the 
steamer  Pocahontas,  while  going  home  on  furlough,  in  July,  '64. 

George  Wagner— Enlisted  Oct.  6,  '04:  Transferred  to  90th.  N.  Y.,  June  1,  65,  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 

Lemuel  Wattles-Enlisted  Aug.  30,  '64.  Died  at  Middletow n,  Va.f  Nov.  '64,  of 
camp  fever. 

William  H.  Williamson— Wounded  in  right  knee,  severe.  Leg;  amputated.  Dis 
charged  at  Frederick,  Md.,  May  13,  '65. 

Albert  Westcott — Escaped  without  wounds. 

Henry  Wheelhouse— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  hip.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 


^       COMPANY  E. 

Captain  Ransom  Macdonald— The  original  Captain  of  the  Company.  Before 
leaving  home,  the  citizens  of  Greene  presented  him  a  sword,  sash  and  belt.  He 
resigned  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  Nov.  6,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Captain  Nichols  A.  Dederer — The  original  1st  Lieutenant.  Promoted  Captain,  Nov. . 
6,  '62,  vice  Macdonald.    Resigned  his  commission,  for  disability,  March  81,  64. 
From  his  years  and  experience  he  gained  the  title  of  the  Father  of  the  Regt. 
He  was  for  a  time  detached  as  Provost  Marshal  of  the  Parish  of  St.  Charles,  La. 

Captain  Elias  P.  Pellet— Originally  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  I.  Promoted  Adjutant, 
June  14,  '63.  Promoted  Captain  of  Co.  E,  July  1,  '64,  vice  Dederer.  He  re 
ceived  a  slight  wound  at  Opequan.  (See  page  535.) 

First  Lieutenant  Uriah  Rorapaugh— Originally  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant,  June  27,  '63. .  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  Sept.  1,  '63.  Promoted  Captain, 
March,  15,  '65,  and  assigned  to  Co.  H.  Wounded  during  the  assault  upon  Port 
Hudson,  in  face,  hand,  shoulder,  breast  and  thigh.  While  deliberately  walking 
from  the  field,  Colonel  Morse  called  upon  him  to  lie  down  or  he  would  be 
hit.  His  reply  was  that  he  had  dodged  all  the  balls  but  five,  and  he  guessed  he 
could  dodge  the  rest. 

First  Lieutenant  John  C.  Stoughtou— Originally  a  Corporal .  Promoted  Sergeant, 
Feb.  1,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  Oct.  19,  '64.  Promoted  1  st  Lieutenant, 
March  27,  '65,  vice  Rorapaugh.  Wounded  slightly  in  cheek,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Taken  prisoner  at  Port  Hudson,  June  14,  '63,  but  liberated  by  the  capture  of 
the  fort.  Also  taken  prisoner  at  Cedar  Creek,  but  escaped  the  following  day, 
by  the  use  of  shrewd  deception.  Was  highly  commended  in  General  Orders, 
for  his  gallantry  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Second  Lieutenant  George  G.  Donnelly— Died  of  injuries  received  from  a  fall,  at 
Brashear  City,  La.,  April  27,  '63.  (See  page  527.) 

First  Sergeant  John  C.  Reynolds— Received  a  2d  Lieutenant's  commission,  but 
never  mustered  to  that  grade.  Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  June 
28,  '63. 

First  Sergeant  John  W.  Tombs— Originally  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant, 
vice  Rorapaugh,  Sept.  1,  '63.  Wounded  in  hip,  at  Opequan,  from  which  he, 
died,  Oct.  16,  '64,  at  Philadelphia.  He  continued  his  fire  upon  the  enemy  while 
leaving  the  field,  supported  by  a  couple  of  comrades. 

36 


556  APPENDIX. 

First  Sergeant  Jeduthan  P.  Kendall— Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal, 
June  1,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jane  1,  '04.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  April 
1,  '65.  Wounded  in  left  arm,  at  Bra^hear  City,  by  the  accidental  discharge  of  a 
gun  in  the  hands  of  a  member  of  Co.  K.  Wounded  at  Opeqnan,  in  arm,  and  at 
Cedar  Creek,  in  hand. 

Sergeant  Henry  Andrews — Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal  for  gallant 
conduct,  Sept.  10,  04.  Promoted  Sergeant,  April  1,  '05.  Wounded  at  Opequan, 
in  hand,  slight.  Wounded  severely  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  thigh.  Mustered  out  in 
hoepital. 

Sergeant  Ephraim  Betts— Discharged  for  blindness,  Feb.  1,  '64,  at  Franklin,  La. 

Sergeant  Austin  D.  Cables — Was  at  first  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  July  1, 
'63.  Wounded  in  thigh,  severely,  at  Opequan.  Afterwards  transferred  to  V.  R. 
C.  In  the  winter  of  '03  and  '64,  was  on  recruiting  duty  at  Elmira,  N.  Y. 

Sergeant  Moses  E.  Delaraarter — Promoted  Corporal,  June  1,  '03.  Promoted  Ser 
geant,  Nov.  1,  '64. 

Sergeant  William  W.  Johnson — Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  June 
1,  63.  Killed  at  Cedar  Creek.  The  Masonic  Lodge  of  Aft  on,  N.  Y.,  of  which 
he  was  a  member,  placed  upon  record  fitting  resolutions  upon  the  death  of  this 
excellent  soldier. 

Sergeant  William  L.  Laman — Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal,  April  15, 
'63.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Feb.  1,  '05.  Wounded  slightly  in  tiie  head,  at  Ope 
quan. 

Sergeant  William  J.  Rogers — Wounded  with  buckshot,  in  forehead,  at  Port  Hud 
son.  Discharged  for  disability,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  May  18,  '64. 

Corporal  William  R.  Corbett— Promoted  Corporal,  Sept.  1,  '64.  Shot  through 
the  heart,  at  Opequan,  and  walked  a  few  rods,  when  he  fell  dead.  Without  a 
relative  in  the  country  of  his  adoption,  he  nobly  fell  defending  its  flag. 

Oorporal  Charles  B.  Davis — Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  1,  '64.  Wounded  at  Port 
Hudson. 

Oorporal  George  O.  Fitch — Promoted  Corpora],  March  1,  '65.  Wounded  in  leg, 
severely,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Corporal  Christopher  Grant — Promoted  Corporal,  June  1,  '63. 

Oorporal  Seymour  C.  Horton — Wonnded  severely  in  ankle,  at  Port  Hudson.  Dis 
charged  Aug.  25,  '63,  at  Governor's  Island,  New  York  harbor. 

Corporal  William  McNeil— Enlisted  Sept.  16,  '64.    Promoted  Corporal  April  1,  '65. 

Oorporal  George  N.  Palmer— Accidentally  wounded  in  hand,  after  the  battle  of 
Bisland.  Discharged  July  2,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Oorporal  Preston  R.  Peck — Promoted  Corporal,  June  1,  '63.  Wounded  severely 
in  body,  at  Port  Hudson,  afterwards  transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Oorporal  Charles  M.  Pittsley— Promoted  Corporal.  Nov.  1.  '64.  Wounded  in  face 
and  hip,  at  Port  Hudson. 

Corporal  Zenas  H.  Tarbell — Promoted  Corporal,  April  1,  '05. 

Oorporal  Daniel  A.  Tremain— Taken  prisoner  by  the  guerrilla  Mosby,  near 
Charlestown,  Va.,  Sept.  4,  64,  while  sick  and  being  conveyed  in  an  ambulanc« 
train  to  Harper's  Ferry.  He  was  conducted  to  near  Rectortown,  Va.,  when, 
being  too  nnwell  to  proceed  further,  he  was  left  in  an  old  school  house.  A 
good  Union  lady  residing  near  by,  took  him  to  her  own  house  and  provided 


APPENDIX.  557 

for  his  wants.*  Subsequently  he  was  released  by  a  squad  of  U.  S.  Cavalry,  and 
furloughed  home  from  Alexandria,  Va.  He  died  at  the  house  of  hia  father, 
Richard  Tremain,  in  East  Greene,  of  consumption,  Jan.  20,  '65. 

Corporal  Calvin  B  Weld — Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequau.  Died  from  rupture  of 
the  popliteal  artery,  at  Winchester,  Va  ,  Oct.  14,  '64.  There  were  none  more 
faithful.  His  remains  were  brought  home  by  his  father,  Luther  Weld,  and  buried 
in  Coventry,  N.  Y. 

Corporal  George  Williams— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  early 
in  the  service. 

Ezra  C.  Adams — Detailed  throughout  his  service  as  fifer. 

Andrew  P.  Ayles worth— Died  of  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  Nov.  3,  '63. 

Otis  G.  Banks— Died  of  small  pox,  at  Quarantine  below  New  Orleans,  March  6,  '63. 

Smith  Barnes— Deserted  Oct.  20,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

George  W.  Bodurtha— Discharged  with  Co. 

William  A.  Bolt— Discharged  with  Co. 

Charles  R.  Bump— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Camp  Mansfield,  Bayou  Boeuf,  March 
27,  '63. 

Theodore  Cable — Accidentally  shot  in  thumb,  at  Newport  News,  Va.  Wounded 
slightly,  in  hip,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

John  Campbell — Died  of  remittent  fever,  at  New  Iberia,  La.,  Oct.  26,  '63. 

Edmund  L.  Carter— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

George  N.  Chappie — Wounded  in  right  arm,  at  Opeqnan. 

Jack  Chidester — Wounded  in  right  arm  and  neck,  at  Port  Hudson.  Discharged 
at  New  York,  Aug.  16,  '63. 

Henry  Davis — Wounded  slightly  at  Port  Hudson.  Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  hand. 
Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Sidney  A.  Delamarter— Wounded  in  head,  severe,  at  Opequan.  Discharged  May 
13,  '65,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

James  Dennis— Wounded  slightly  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  leg. 

William  A.  Puller— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  on  right  side  of  head,  and  at 
Opequan  on  the  left  side  of  head.  Killed  at  Cedar  Creek. 

James  W.  Gillmore— Detailed  for  five  months  at  General  Auger's  H'd  Q'rs.  Dis 
charged  June  13,  '65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Lewis  Handy— Wounded  severely  in  body,  at  Port  Hudson  ;  afterwards  trans 
ferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Charles  R.  Hayward— Wounded  in  left  hand,  at  Port  Hudson.  Wounded  at 
Opequan,  in  body,  severely.  DischargedMay  14,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Sophronius  Hinman— Wounded  with  buckshot,  at  Port  Hudson.  For  about  two 
years  was  Co.  cook. 

William  M.  Hortou— Waa  taken  sick  before  the  Regt.  left  the  rendezvous  at  Nor 
wich,  and  was  unable  to  return  for  nearly  a  year.  Mortally  wounded  at 
Opequan,  in  thigh,  and  died  the  day  after  the  battle.  Brother  of  Seymour  C. 
Horton. 


•  The  kindness  of  this  lady  to  Union  soldiers  should  give  her  a  place  in  history 
Her  name  is  Mre.  Holland. 


558  APPENDIX. 

James  S.  Ireland— Discharged  for  white  swelling,  June  14,  '63,  at  New  Orleans 
A  short  time  Acting  Hospital  Steward. 

Charles  A.  Johnson— Accidentally  wounded  at  Boutte,  La.  Discharged  March  9, 
'64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Eussell  A.  Johnson — Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  22,  »63. 

George  W.  Jones — For  some  time  drove  a  mule  cart. 

Isaac  B.  Jones— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  but  afterwards  re- 
transferred  back  to  Regt.  Wounded  at  Opequan. 

Henry  Keatch— Enlisted  Dec.  31,  '63. 

Andy  Kinnier — Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  March  5,  '64. 

James  H.  Knickerbocker— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  June  IT,  '64. 

Richard  Marvin— In  most  of  the  battles,  and  only  slightly  wounded  in  knee,  at 
Cedar  Creek. 

William  Marvin— Deserted  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  Dec.  16,  '62.  Was  arrested  at 
Greene,  and  sent  under  guard  to  the  front.  For  a  long  time  he  practiced  de 
ception  to  keep  himself  from  rejoining  his  Regt.,  until  Jan.  9,  '65,  when  he 
was  discharged  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

William  T.  Marvin— On  hospital  duty,  for  some  time,  at  New  Orleans. 

David  McBirney— Wounded  in  right  shoulder,  at  Port  Hudson. 

Duncan  McKellar— Detailed  at  Div.  H'd  Q'rs,  to  repair  wagon-covers  and  tents. 

Francis  McNiel— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  leg,  which  was  amputated.  Died  at 
Winchester,  Va.,  Oct.  10,  '64.  A  brave  man. 

Francis  M.  Mead— Wounded  slightly,  at  Cedar  Creek,  (we  think.) 

Horatio  K.  Mosher— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  June  27,  '63. 

Lewis  G.  Mosher— Ehlisted  Jan.  23,  '64.  Discharged  for  disability,  at  Washing 
ton,  D.  C.,  Nov.  4,  '64. 

William  W.  Newby — Wounded  in  thigh  severely,  at  Opequau,  for  which  he  was 
discharged  May  22,  '65,  at  Wilmington,  Del. 

Andrew  H.  Nichols— Never  wounded. 

Henry  W.  Nutter— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  24,  '63. 

David  W,  Pettis— Died  of  fever,  Sept.  13,  'C4,  at  Annapolis  Junction,  Md.  His 
remains  were  removed  to  Greene  and  buried,  at  the  end  of  three  months. 

Wilberforc«L.  Pike— Discharged  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec.  15,  '62,  by 'Drder  of  the 
War  Department. 

Benjamin  F.  Pitsley— Wounded  in  head,  at  Port  Hudson,  which  left  a  severe  ner 
vous  affection.  Discharged,  Sept.  1,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Edward  Post— Wounded  in  arm  and  leg,  at  Port  Hudson:  Wounded  at  Opequan 
in  right  ankle  ;  for  which  he  was  discharged,  April  4,  '65,  at  Chesnut  Hill  Hos 
pital,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Carroll  Post— Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  York,  Aug.  26,  '64. 

Charles  E.  Potter— Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  22,  '63. 
He  reached  home  Sept.  6th,  and  died  the  18th.  . ..  .« 

Edwin  C.  Read— Detailed  for  a  year  in  the  Quartermaster's  Department,  I9th 
Corps,  and  at  the  close  received  a  complimentary  letter  from  the  Chief  Quarter 
Master. 

Lewis  O.  Robbins— Died  of  typhoid-fever,  April  11,  '63,  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Jesee  Rockwell— Wounded  in  arm,  at  Opequan.    Afterwards  detailed  as  Orderly. 


APPENDIX.  559 

Albert  Rogers— Enlisted  Dec.  31,  '63.    Fell  out  of  the  ranks,  the  uight  of  April  20, 

'04,  while  on  a  forced  march  from  Grand  Ecore,  La.  to  Alexandria,  La.    There 

is  but  little  doubt  that  he  died  in  the  road  from  excessive  fatigue,  as  but  a  short 

time  afterwards  a  young  man  bearing  his  description  was  found  by  the  rear 

guard  dead,  and  was  buried. 
Gilbert  Rogers— Enlisted  Jan.  18,  «64. 

Peter  Rogers— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  leg.    Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  back. 
William  Rogers— Enlisted  Jan.  IS,  '64.    Father  of  Gilbert  and  Albert. 
Deloss  Rowe— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
Hanford  D.  Rowe*— Absent  sick  for  nearly  two  years. 

Benjamin  E.  Rudolph— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Jan.  17,  '04,  for  epileptic  fits. 
Albert  Salisbury— Enlisted  Sept.  10,  '64. 
Edward  E.  Salisbury— Detailed  for  nearly  a  year  as  orderly  at  General  Sheridan's 

H'd  Q'rs. 
Andrew  J.  Sawyer— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Coventry,  N.  Y.,  April  28,  '64, 

while  home  on  furlough. 
Aaron  II.  Seward — Discharged  for  fever  sore,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  7,  '63.    Since 

dead. 

Chauncey  Simmons— Disch'd  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  10,  '63. 
Frank  M.  Skillman — Wounded  in  right  leg,  at  Opequan  ;  limb  amputated.    He 

died  Oct.  7,  '04.    His  remains  were  brought  to  Smithville,  N..  Y.,  for  interment. 
Joseph  H.  Skillman— Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Hospital 

Steward,  March,  '63.    Discharged  for  disability,  July  1,  '63. 
Martin  K.  Skillman— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  Jan.  1,  '63,  on  board  Barque  Volti- 

geur,  off,  South- West  Pass,  La.     (See  page  97.) 
Joseph  S.  Smith— Wounded  in  head,  at  Port  Hudson.    Wounded  terribly  in  thigh, 

at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  from  which  he  died  May  G,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
William  H.  Spencer— Enlisted  Sept.  12,  '64.    Discharged  for  disability,  May  18, 

'05,  at  Frederick,  Md. 
John  Starkweather— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Barrack's  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

Sept.  18,  '63. 

John  W.  Sutliff—  Detailed  for  a  time  as  blacksmith. 
Albert  Teachout— Died  of  fever,  at  Camp  Belger,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Oct.  2,  '62.    The 

first  death  in  the  Company 

William  H.  Truax— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  21,  '63. 
Chester  P.  Tryon— Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  Aug.  22,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Moses  Tuttle— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Hector  S  Vanderburg — Died  of  diptheria,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  June  10,  '63. 
Artemas  J.  Webb— Detailed  for  a  long  time  as  ambulance  driver  and  teamster. 
Freeman  S.  Wedge— Discharged  for  disability,  Oct.  2,  '63,  in  camp  near  Centre- 

ville,  La. 
Robert  Wedge— Injured  at  Port  Hudson  by  a  fall.    Found  dead  by  the  side  of  his 

cot,  in  hospital,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  28,  '63. 
William  H.  White— Detailed  as  drummer. 

Emory  A.  Williams— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  fall  of '63. 
Horace  J.  Wood— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  June  17,  '64. 
Reed  Yaple — Mustered  out  in  hospital. 


560  APPENDIX. 

COMPANY  F. 

Captain  Charles  H.  Colwell— The  original  Captain.  Was  presented  with  a  sword 
and  sash  by  the  citizens  of  Sherhurne.  Resigned  on  Surgeon's  certificate,  Jan. 
S,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Captain  James  P.  Fitts — Originally  was  Adjutant.  Promoted  Captain,  vice  Col- 
well,  Jan.  8,  '63,  in  which  capacity  he  was  mustered  ont  with  the  Regt.  (See 
page  535.) 

First  Lieutenant  Adrian  Foote— Entered  the  service  in  the  above  capacity.  Pro 
moted  Quarter  Master,  March  28,  'C3.  (See  page  536.) 

First  Lieutenant  William  D.  Thurber— Originally  was  1st  Sergeant.  Promoted  2d 
Lieutenant,  vice  Buel,  June  9,  '63,  but  was  never  mustered  to  that  grade.  Pro 
moted  1st  Lieutenant,  vice  Foote,  July  4,  '63.  Wounded  in  thigh,  at  Cedar 
Creek,  from  which  he  died,  Oct.  25,  '64,  at  Newtown,  Va.  (See  page  524.) 

First  Lieutenant  Jerrie  P.  Allis— Was  at  first  a  Sergeant  of  Co.  G.  Promoted  2d 
Lieutenant  of  same  Company,  June  14,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  and  as 
signed  to  Co.  F,  Dec.  15,  '64,  in  which  grade  he  was  mustered  out  of  service. 
Wounded  in  right  fore-arm,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Second  Lieutenant  John  F.  Buel — Resigned  his  commission,  June  !),  '63. 

Second  Lieutenant  Cyrus  J.  Hardaway— First  enlisted  as  a  private  in  Berdan's 
Sharp-Shooters,  where  he  served  for  nearly  two  years,  participating  in  eleven 
battles.  In  Sept.  of  '63  he  was  discharged  from  his  former  Regt.,  at  Warrenton, 
Va  ,  to  receive  promotion  in  the  114th  N.  Y.,  and  was  mustered  2d  Lieutenant 
of  Co.  F,  in  which  grade  he  served  till  tne  close  of  the  war.  He  never,  however 
did  duty  with  his  Company,  but  was  the  Acting  Begimental  Quarter  Master,  in 
the  absence  of  Lieut.  Foote,  during  the  whole  of  the  time  he  was  connected  with 
the  Regiment. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  L.  Brown— Was  originally  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant  in  March  of  '63,  vice  Thurber,  but  owing  to  a  failure  of  muster  in  the  last 
named  officer,  he  only  served  as  Acting  Orderly.  Promoted  2d  Lieutenant  of 
Co.  E,  Oct.  7,  '63,  but  was  unable  to  be  mustered  to  that  grade.  Promoted  1st 
Lieutenant,  and  assigned  to  Co.  G,  Aug.  9,  '64.  Detailed' for  eight  months  as 
clerk  «}  the  Quarter  Master's  Departments  of  Division  and  Corps.  Wounded  at 
Port  Hudson,  in  right  thigh. 

First  Sergeant  Stephen  Weaver— Was  at  first  a  Corporal.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant 
vice  Brown,  Sept.  1,  '63.  Was  sent  north  on  recruiting  service  in  the  fall  of  '63. 
Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  Lead,  from  which  he  died  the  same  night.  He  was 
faithfully  attended  to  the  last  by  his  brother  Corporal  Weaver. 

First  Sergeant  William  F.  Allen— Originally  was  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant,  vice  Weaver,  Sept.  20,  '64.  Wounded  in  left  fore-arm  and  shoulder,  at 
Cedar  Creek. 

Sergeant  Charles  D.  Hooker— Was  at  first  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal,  March 
10,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Dec.  '64.  Detailed  north  on  recruiting  service. 

Sergeant  James  F.  Simmons— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Feb.  12,  '63. 

Sergeant  John  C.  Talmaii— Instantly  killed  at  the  assault  on  Port  Hudson,  June 
14,  '63,  by  a  shot  in  the  head. 

Sergeant  Charles  N.  Thomas— Promoted  from  a  private  to  Sergeant,  May  1,  '65. 


APPENDIX.  561 

Sergeant  Eugene  M.  Utley— Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant,  Oct.  IT,  '64. 

Wounded  slightly  in  head,  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  also  at  Port  Hudson. 

Mortally  wounded  in  bowels,  at  Cedar  Creek,  nnd  died  at  Newtown,  Va  ,  Oct. 

27,  '63. 
Sergeant  William  W.  Wakeley— Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant,  Feb.,  »(J4. 

Killed  at  Cedar  Creek.    This  faithful  soldier  was  buried  alongside  of  the  others 

that  fell  that  day.  on  the  banks  of  Cedar  Creek. 
Sergeant  Charles  L.  Williams— Originally  a  Corporal.    Promoted  Sergeant,  June 

14,  'C3.    Wounded  in  head,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 
Sergeant  James  S,  Williams— Originally  a  private.     Promoted  Corporal,  Aug.  1, 

'03.    Promoted  Sergeant,  Dec.  1,  '64.    Taken  prisoner  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads, 

and  exchanged  Oct.  23,  '64. 
Corporal  John  L.  W.  Bell— Promoted  Corporal,  May  1,  '65     Wounded  severely  at 

Opequan. 

Corporal  Malcolm  G.  Deitz— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  31,  '65,  at  New  Orleans. 
Corporal  Charles  V.  Hall— Pr  moted  Corporal,  Oct.  19,  '64,  for  gallant  conduct . 
Corporal  George  J.  Matteson— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  1,  '65.  Wounded  in 

neck,  at  Opequan. 
Corporal  George  R.  Miller — Detailed  for  some  time  as  a  manager  of  a  government 

farm  at  Fortress  Monroe.    Killed  at  Opequan.     IK-  right  arm  was  torn  off  by  a 

fragment  of  shell,  and  his  breast  badly  mangled.    This  Christian  soldier  was  the 

first  that  fell  upon  that  bloody  field. 
Corporal  Clinton  H.  Medbury— Wounded  in  both  lungs,  on  the  night  of  the  llth 

of  June,  '63,  while  engaged  in  digging  a  sap  toward  the  enemy's  works  at  Port 

Hudson.    He  died  June  25,  '63,  at  St.  James  Hospital,  New  Orleans.    He  was 

an  exemplary  soldier. 

Corporal  Christopher  W.  Potter— Promoted  Corporal,  Oct.  19,  '64,  by  General  Or 
ders,  for  gallant  conduct. 
Corporal  Charles  F.  Pratt— Transferred  fo  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  ;JO,  '63.  at  Fortran 

Monroe,  Va. 
Corporal  Daniel  W.  Putnam— Wounded  in  head  and  abdomen,  at  the  assault  on 

Port  Hudson,  June  14,  '63.     He  died  in  field  hospital  at  Port  Hudson,  June  IT,  '63. 
Corporal  John  Spurr — Promoted  Corporal,  April  2T,  '64.    Wounded  in  hand  at 

Port  Hudson.    Wounded  in  breast,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  hospital  at 

Philadelphia. 
Corporal  Lewis  E.  Tew— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  '64.    Killed  at  Cedar  Greek. 

His  remains  were  brought  north,  and  interred  at  New  Berlin. 
Corporal  Isaac  Weaver— Enlisted  Jan.  13,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2. 

'65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Musician  Dudley  W.  Young— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Alfred  N.  Aldrich— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  '64.     Wounded  in  head,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Elijah  J  Andrews— Died  of  typho- malarious  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.  June6,H>3. 
James  T.  A  very— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  July  IT,  '6P,     Re-en 
listed  in  the  same  Company,  Aug.  31,  '64     Wounded  in  thigh  at  Cedar  Creek. 
William  H.  Avery— Enlisted  Sept.  ',  '64.    Wounded  in  leg  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Erasmus  D.  Babcock— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  May  1?  -64. 


562  APPENDIX. 

Russell  P.  Baker— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  hand.  Died  of  congestive  fever 
at  Franklin,  La.,  Jan.  18,  '64. 

George  A.  Beach— Wounded  in  hand  severely,  at  Port  Hudson.  Afterwards  de 
tailed  as  teamster. 

Henry  Bidwell— Deserted  Sept.  6,  '62,  at  Norwich,  N.  Y.  Received  a  three  days1 
furlough,  and  never  returned. 

Charles  H.  Bo  wen— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  1,  '64. 

Charles  H.  Bryant — Severely  wounded  in  both  thighs,  at  Port  Hudson.  Discharg 
ed  at  York,  Pa.,  Dec.  29,  '64. 

Chester  L.  Buchanan — Enlisted  Aug.  26,  '04.  Died  suddenly  of  congestion  of  the 
brain,  in  his  tent  at  Camp  Sheridan,  Stevenson's  Depot,  Va.,  Feb.  8,  '65.  Only 
a  short  time  before  he  came  off  the  picket  line  apparently  well. 

Levi  M.  Carpenter— Enlisted  June  4,  '64.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2,  '65, 
at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Mathew  L.  Carpenter-  Never  wounded. 

George  W.  Champliu— Died  of  ship  fever,  Dec.  19,  '62,  at  Ship  Island,  Miss. 

Abram  Chappell— Wounded  in  hand  at  Port  Hudson.  Transferred  to  V.  R.  C., 
May  31, '64. 

Charles  Clark— Enlisted  Aug.  26,  '64.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  leg.  Trans 
ferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2,  '65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

John  A.  Cleaveland— Died  from  the  effects  of  vegetable  poison,  June  1,  '63,  at 
Berwick  City,  La. 

Albert  B.  Colbnrne— Wounded  slightly  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 

Elijah  N.  Colburne— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  for  which  he 
was  discharged  May  13,  '65,  at  Chester,  Pa. 

George  W.  Crumb— Weunded  in  thigh,  at  Cedar  Creek,  severely :  for  which  he 
was  discharged  May  22,  '65,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Alfred  Davis— Killed  at  Opequan,  being  shot  through  the  head.  His  officers  al 
ways  spoke  of  him  as  ever  cool  and  ready. 

Daniel  Davis— Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.  8,  '63. 

Adin  Deming — Wounded  in  right  knee,  at  Opequan.  Mustered  out  in  hospital,  at 
York,  Pa. 

William  H.  Dunham— Enlisted  Sept.  6,  '64.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  leg,  se 
verely,  from  which  he  died,  Oct.  29,  '64,  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Horace  Eddy — Taken  prisoner  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  confined  at  Tyler.  Tex. 
Exchanged  Oct.  23,  '64, 

Lewis  J.  Eddy— Brother  of  Horace. 

Andrew  J.  Eldred— Mustered  out  with  Company. 

Adieus  Ellis— Wounded  in  leg  at  Cedar  Creek :  limb  amputated  ;  discharged 
from  hospital  in  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Amenzo  Ellis— Brother  of  Adieus.  Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  arm.  Discharged 
May  22,  '65,  at  McClellan  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Charles  Fairchilds— Captured  and  paroled  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  June  23,  '63. 
Detailed  a  long  time  at  Brigade  H'd  Q'rs,  as  carpenter. 

Edwin  Fairchilds— Enlisted  Jan.  12,  '64.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2,  '65, 
at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Norman  Fenton— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  June  10,  '63,  at  Brashear  City,  La. 


APPENDIX.  563 

Frank  P.  Field— Discharged  for  disability,  May  G,  '64,  at  Alexandria,  La. 

George  Fontaine— Wounded  with  buckshot,  in  left  fore-arm,  at  Port  Hudsen. 
Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  left  leg,  with  minnie  ball.  Discharged  June  23,  '65, 
at  Satterly  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Freland  P.  Freely— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  May  31,  '64. 

Albert  D.  Fuller— Served  some  time  as  Co.  cook. 

Jeremiah  B.  Fuller— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Feb.  4,  '63. 

Joseph  Gilbert— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress  Monroe, 
in  Dec.,  '62. 

Hiram  Gilbert— Brother  of  Joseph.  Died  of  the  same  disease,  at  the  same  place, 
not  far  from  the  same  time. 

Ambrose  Green— Discharged  for  disability,  Nov.  9,  '62,  at  Stewart's  Mansion 
Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Robert  E.  Gritman— Wounded  in  thigh,  at  Cedar  Creek,  from  which  he  died  Oct. 
30,  '64,  at  Winchester,  Va. 

James  Haight— Enlisted  Aug.  22,  '64.  Discharged  May  22,  '65,  for  disability,  at 
Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Henry  M.  Hall— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  '64. 

Jacob  H.  Havely— Mortally  wounded  in  the  head,  during  the  assault  on  Port 
Hudson,  June  14,  '63,  and  died  the  following  day.  The  ashes  of  this  gallant 
young  soldier  were  gathered  up  in  the  succeeding  month  of  Feb.,  by  his  cousin, 
Colonel  Willie  P.  Rexford,  and  sent  North,  to  be  buried  with  his  kindred  in 
Sherburne,  N.  Y. 

Smith  Hill — Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  side,  leg  and  arm  with  buckshot. 

Fred  H.  Honecka— Wounded  in  shoulder,  at  Opequan,  and  in  thigh,  at  Cedar 
Creek.  Discharged  May  22,  '65,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Jarvis  Howard — Died  of  disease,  Aug.  1,  '64,  at  New  Berlin,  N.  Y.,  while  home 
on  sick  furlough. 

Miles  Ireland— Discharged  for  disability,  April  2T,  '63,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Charles  Isbell— Transferred  to  V.  R.  0.,  Sept.  30,  '63. 

Truman  G.  Ketchum— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Or 
leans,  Aug.  27,  '63. 

Cornelius  O.  King — Served  as  Regimental  wagon-master  throughout  his  entire 
service. 

William  D.  Knapp — Wounded  in  right  leg,  at  Port  Hudson.  Discharged  for  disa 
bility,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Jan.  31,  '64. 

James  E.  Marvin— Discharged  for  disability  May  13,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

John  L.  Marvin— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  left  side  and  right  hand,  for  which 
he  was  discharged,  April  iO,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Sidney  T.  Merrill— Mustered  out  with  Regt.      Never  wounded. 

Joseph  W.  Miller— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Jan.  14,  '63. 

Charles  M.  Moremus — Generally  present  with  Co. 

La  Fayette  Moremus— Enlisted,  Sept.  4,  '64, 

William  Mnnn— Never  wounded. 

William  H.  Mumbalo— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  right  leg.  Discharged  at 
New  Orleans,  Sept.  8,  '63. 

Oscar  N.  Nichols— Died  of  typho-malarial  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La  ,  Mar.  10,  '63. 


564  APPENDIX. 

Calab  S.  Page — Detailed  during  most  of  his  service  in  the  Commissary  Depart 
ment,  and  as  clerk. 

Charles  A.  Peck— Enlisted  Aug.  1,  '64. 
Solomon  Pettit— Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  27,  '62,  at  Baltimore.    Afterwards 

re-enlisted  in  another  Regt.,  and  died  at  Vicksbtirg,  Miss..  March  26,  '64. 
Charles  J.  Pratt — Wounded  in  left  arm  and  breast,  at  Opequan.    Discharged  from 

a  Philadelphia  hospital. 
George  W.  Roberts— Killed  in  action  at  Port  Hudson,  June  14;  '(53.    A  young  man 

of  excellent  habits,  and  much  respected. 

Varner  S.  Root — Served  as  drummer,  from  organization  of  Regt. 
Smith  B.  Rowland— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  27,  '63. 
Lindsey  L.  Shipman— Transferred  to  Veteran  Reserve  Corps,  Sept.  80,  63,  at  Port 
ress  Monroe. 
Lorenzo  S.  Shaw— Arm  badly  injured  by  a  shell,  on  the  14th  of  June,  at  Port 

Hudson.    Discharged  in  consequence,  at  Charlestown,  Va.,  Aug.  19,  '64. 
Seth  C.  Sisson— Shot  through  the  right  lung,  in  the  assault  of  the  14th  of  June, 
and  died  the  next  day.     He  was  a  soldier  prompt  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty. 
Charles  W.  Smith— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63. 

Eibert  F.  Smith— Wounded  severely  in  thigh,  at  Port  Hudson,  June  14 ;   dis 
charged  in  consequence,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Feb.  19,  '64. 
Albert  D.  Smith— Died  of  diptheria,  at  Hampton,  Va.,  Jan.  14,  '63.    His  re 

mains  were  buried  in  New  Berlin,  N.  Y. 

Charles  L.  Smith— Died  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  of  diptheria,  Nov.  15. 
'63.    He  had  been  examined  for  Lieutenant's  commission  in  the  Corps  d'Afriqne. 
Angel  P.  Stead— Died  of  disease,  Aug.  31,  '63,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
Nathan  Teft— Detailed  in  Pioneer  Corpi  in  the  valley. 

Charles  B.  Teft— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  head,  right  hand  and  shoulder;  at 
Cedar  Creek,  in  thigh,  breast  and  elbow.  Mustered  out  in  a  Philadelphia 
hospital,  since  the  Regt. 

Nelson  A.  Thayer— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Carrollton,  La.,  Feb.  14,  '63. 
Roswell  F.  Thayer— Brother  of  the  above ;    died  of  fever,  at  Marine  Hospital. 

New  Orleans,  Sept.  6,  63. 

George  B.  Throop— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  22,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
David  H.  Vanduzen— Enlisted  June  4,  '64.    Transferred  to  00th  N.  Y.,  June  2, 

'65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Ezra  Waters— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63. 
Isaac  Weaver— Enlisted  Jan.  13,  64.    Transferred  to  9()th  N.  Y.,  June  2,  'G5,  at 

Washington,  D.  C. 

Anson  E.  Webb— Jn  battles,  not  wounded 

Austin  White— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Vermiliouville,  La.,  Nov.  9,  '63. 
Charles  T.  White— Wounded  June  14,  at  Port  Hudson,  in  left  arm,  shoulder  and 
thigh.    Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  jaw  and  right  side  of  head,  destroying  the 
eye,  and  in  thigh.    Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Chestnut  Hill  Hospital,  Philadel 
phia,  and  discharged  since  the  Regt. 

Franklin  Wil cox -Discharged  at  Baltimore,  May  19,  '65,  for  disability. 
Joseph  Wisbeck— Enlisted  Jnne  4,  '64.    Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2,  '65,  at 
Washington,  D.  C. 


APPENDIX.  565 

COMPANY  G. 

Captain  Charles  E.  Tucker— The  first  Captain  of  the  Co.  Instantly  killed  at  Port 
Hudson.  (See  page  514.) 

Captain  Charles  W.  Underbill— Originally  1st  Lieutenant  of  Co.  Promoted  Adju 
tant,  Jan.  S,  '63.  Promoted  Captain,  vice  Tucker,  June  14,  '03,  in  which  grade 
he  was  mustered  out  the  service.  Was  complimented  by  General  Orders,  by  the 
Generals  on  whose  staffs  he  served  at  Opequan  and  Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  535.) 

First  Lieutenant  Homer  W.  Searle— Originally  2d  Lieutenant.  Promoted  let 
Lieutenant,  vice  Underbill,  Sept.  1,  '6.'5.  Promoted  Captain,  July  1,  '64,  and  as 
signed  to  Co.  K.  Wounded  severely  in  right  lung  and  left  hip,  at  the  assault 
of  Port  Hudson,  June  14.  Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  right  fore-arm  and  in 
shoulder.  Presented  with  a  sword,  by  the  citizens  of  Brookfield.  He  received 
a  complimentary  message  from  General  Banks,  for  his  gallantry  at  Port  Hudson. . 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  L.  Brown— Originally  a  Sergeant  of  Co.  F.  Promoted 
1st  Sergeant,  March,  '03.  Promoted  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  E,  but  never  mus 
tered  to  that  giade.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  Aug.  9,  'G4,  and  assigned  to  Co. 
G.  This  last  position  he  held  to  the  close  of  the  war.  (See  page  500.) 

Second  Lieutenant  Jerrie  P.  Allis— A  Sergeant  from  enlistment.  Promoted  2d 
Lieutenant,  vice  Searle,  June  14,  '03.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  Dec.  15,  '(54, 
and  assigned  to  Co.  F,  which  see. 

First  Sergeant  Albert  A.  Nichols— Appointed  1st  Sergeant,  Oct.,  02,  to  date  from 
the  organization  of  Co.  Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Carrellton,  La.,  Jan.  7,  '6^, 
An  estimable  and  accomplished  young  man. 

First  Sergeant  Henry  P.  Corbiu— Originally  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant, . 
Jan.  7,  '63,  vice  Nichols.  Commissioned  2d  Lieutenant,  Jan.  8,  '03,  vice  Searle, 
but  was  unable  to  be  mustered  to  that  grade.  Instantly  killed  by  being  shot 
through  the  head,  at  Port  Hudson,  in  the  assault  of  June  14,  '03.  (Seepage  209.) 

First  Sergeant  Charles  F.  Sunny— Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan.  5.  '63.  Promoted  let 
Sergeant,  vice  Corbin,  Sept.  1,  '03.  Shot  twice  through  the  head  at  Opequan, 
and  instantly  killed.  At  Port  Hudson,  under  a  shower  of  rebel  bullets,  at  the 
risk  of  his  own  life,  this  gallant  soldier,  to  recover  his  Lieutenant,  Searle,  crept 
to  the  embankment,  and  by  his  clothes  dragged  him  some  d'stance  to  the  ditch. 

First  Sergeant  Daniel  W.  Kiuuey— Corporal  from  enlistment.  Promoted  Ser 
geant,  Jan.  5,  'C3.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  vice  Sunny,  Sept,  lit,  '64.  Wounded 
in  leg.  A  reliable  soldier. 

Sergeant  Porter  II.  Babcock— Corporal  from  enlistment.  Promoted  Sergeant. 
Jan.  1,  '04.  Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  in  Washington,  D.  C. 

Sergeant  Harryjon  Brand — Corporal  from  enlistment.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Dec. 
12,  '63.  Severely  wounded  in  leg  at  Opequan,  for  which  he  was  discharged  at 
Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec.  21,  64. 

Sergeant  Burton  Brown — Corporal  from  enlistment.  Promoted  Sergeant,  April 
1,  '65.  Detached  with  wagon  train. 

Sergeant  George  W.  Dunham — At  first  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan.  14? . 
'63.  Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Iberia,  La.,  Dec.  12,  '03. 

Sergeant  Nathan  Lampson— Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Sept.  Itf  . 
•64.  In  every  battle,  and  luckily  never  wounded. 


566  APPENDIX. 

Sergeant  James  P.  Murphy— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  early  in 
the  service. 

Sergeant  William  Potter— Promoted  Corporal  and  Lance-Sergeant,  Oct.  19,  '64, 
for  meritorious  conduct  on  that  day.  Promoted  full  Sergeant,  Dec.  21,  '64.  A 
long  time  color-bearer  of  the  Regt.  CSee  page  460.} 

Sergeant  Charles  W.  Rhodes— Corporal  at  enlistment.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Jan. 
5,  '63.  For  a  time  detailed  as  clerk  at  draft  rendezvous,  Elmira,  N.  Y.  Dis 
charged  April  1,  '65,  to  receive  promotion  as  Captain  in  the  194th  N.  Y. 

Corporal  William  C.  Burch— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  14,  '63.  Taken  prisoner 
at  Cedar  Creek,  exchanged,  and  discharged  with  Co. 

Corporal  Ira  J.  Burleson — Promoted  to  Corporal,  April  1,  65. 

Corporal  Albert  E.  Butler— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Sept.  19,  '64. 

Corporal  William  N.  Davis— Wounded  in  hand,  by  the  accidental  discharge  of 
his  gun,  at  Tigerville,  La  ,  and  discharged  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
July  3,  '63.  Died  soon  after  reaching  home. 

Corporal  Isaac  W.  Haling— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  5,  '63.  Wounded  in  the 
breast,  June  14,  in  the  assault  at  Port  Hudson,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 
died  July  IT,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.  When  the  flag  lay  prostrate  before  the 
enemy,  upon  that  bloody  day,  Corporal  Haling  was  among  the  first  to  volunteer 
to  rally  to  its  support. 

Corporal  Albert  J.  Holmes — Promoted  to  Corporal,  Feb.,  '(54.  Wounded  in  thigh 
at  Opequan,  and  died  from  hemorrhage,  Oct.  2,  '64,  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Oofporal  Orange  E.  Loomis— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  21,  '64.  Wounded  severe 
ly  in  side  at  Opequan. 

Corporal  J.  Wesley  Morgan— Promoted  Corporal,  June  14,  '63.  Wounded  at 
Opequan,  in  thigh. 

Corporal  Andrew  J.  Sawdy — Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  5,  '65.  Wounded  in  left 
lung,  at  Port  Hudson,  June  14,  from  the  effect  of  which  he  died  at  Baton  Rouge, 
La.,  July  6,  »63. 

Corporal  Colson  Shepardson — Promoted  Corporal,  June  14,  '63.  Wounded  in  leg 
at  Opequan,  which  was  amputated.  Mustered  out  in  hospital,  at  Philadelphia. 

Musician  M.  Jerome  Murphy— Discharged  for  disability,  Dec.  1,  '62,  at  Baltimore, 
Md.  Brother  of  James.  During  his  stay  with  the  Regt.,  he  acted  as  Drum- 
Major.  None  will  forget  his  gaudy  display  at  dress  parade  and  guard-mount. 

Musician  Amasa  A.  Wright — Detailed  for  a  time  as  bugler,  at  Brigade  H'd  Q'rs. 

Denio  T.  Alderman— In  every  battle,  and  never  wounded. 

De  Elbert  W.  Babcock— WTounded  by  accidental  discharge  of  gun,  July,  '64. 
Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  March  IS,  '65. 

George  W.  Babcock— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sffpt.  30,  '63. 

James  W.  Babcock— Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.,  '63. 

Simeon  D.  Baldwin — Served  faithfully,  and  never  wounded. 

John  H.  Barrett— Wounded  slight  in  foot,  at  Opequan.  Taken  prisoner  at  Cedar 
Creek ;  exchanged,  and  mustered  out  with  Regt. 

Albert  S.  Bates— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  June 
<J,  '63. 

Francis  M.  Beebe— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan.  Mustered  out  at  Fred 
erick,  Md. 


APPENDIX.  567 

Samuel  J.  Belfield— Left  sick  at  Norfolk,  Va.  Deserted  while  on  his  way  to  join 
his  Regt.,  in  Jan.,  '64,  near  N.  Y.  city.  This  was  the  only  desertion  in  the  Co. 

Samuel  J.  Bennett — Never  wounded. 

Morris  J.  Blakeman— Wounded  in  arm,  at  Opequan. 

John  F.  Brand— Detailed  as  Regimental  Clerk. 

Samuel  B.  Brand— Taken  prisoner,  and  paroled  at  Brashear  City.  Transferred 
to  V.  R.  C.,  Jan.  4,  '64. 

Frank  Brooks — Wounded  slightly  at  Port  Hudson.  Wounded  in  breast  and  knee, 
at  Opequan. 

Holland  T.  Brown — Wounded  at  Opequan  ;  lost  a  finger.  Having  survived  three 
years'  service,  he  was  killed  at  home,  in  Brookfield,  N.  Y.,  March  22,  '66,  by  the 
fall  ing  of  a  tree. 

Mathew  R.  Burdick— Killed  by  accident,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  June  21,  '63, 
Having  an  altercation  with  a  fellow  soldier,  the  latter  threw  a  brick,  which 
struck  him  in  the  head,  resulting  in  his  death. 

James  Cahalin— Wounded,  at  Opequan,  in  right  leg,  fracturing  both  bones.  It  not 
being  possible  at  the  moment  to  carry  him  to  the  rear,  raising  himself  upon 
his  sound  limb,  he  commenced  to  load  and  fire,  when  he  was  pierced  by  two 
fatal  bullets,  one  of  them  through  the  head.  At  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  elevating 
himself  upon  the  roof  of  an  old  shanty,  he  deliberately  and  with  telling  effect 
fired  into  the  advancing  ranks  of  the  enemy. 

Henry  Cheesbro — Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  Sept.  10,  '63. 

Herbert  A.  Cheesbro— Luckily  never  wounded. 

J.  Albert  Cheesbro — Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Aug.  11,  '63. 

Augustus  P.  Clark— Transferred  to  non-commissioned  staff,  and  promoted  Quar 
termaster's  Sergeant,  Sept.  4,  '62.  (See  page  536.) 

Duane  L.  ClarK — Wounded  with  buckshot  in  left  shoulder,  at  Port  Hudson, 
Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  6,  '64. 

Ray  G.  Clark— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  March  8,  '64. 

William  W.  Coakley— Wounded  slightly  in  head,  at  Opeqnan. 

James  R.  Collier— Wounded  slight  at  Port  Hudson.  Taken  prisoner  at  Pleasant 
Hill,  while  filling  his  canteen  from  a  spring,  but  a  short  distance  from  the  Regt. 
Taken  to  Camp  Ford,  Tyler,  Texas.  Exchanged  in  the  fall  of  '64,  and  discharg  - 
ed  with  the  Company. 

Judson  L.  Crandall— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 
Aug.  22,  '63. 

Lucius  A.  Crandall— Enlisted  Jan.  21,  '64.  Wounded  in  leg  at  Opequan.  Trans 
ferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65. 

George  Davey— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Frederick,  MdM  May  18,  '65. 

Philander  Davis— Died  at  New  Orleans,  of  malarious  fever  and  diarrhea,  JuneS,  »63, 

Harlow  M.  Dodge— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La.,  April  5,  '63. 

James  Dunn — For  some  two  years  served  as  clerk  at  different  army  H'd  Q'rs, 
Since  his  muster-out,  he  has  been  appointed  Hospital  Steward  in  the  Regular 
Army,  and  placed  on  duty  in  the  Surgeon  General's  office,  Washington,  D.  C, 

Wallace  Elphic— Received  a  flesh  wound  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  the  leg. 

Alberto  Fiek— Severely  wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  left  hip.  Discharged  at 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  April  15,  '65. 


568  APPENDIX. 

Peter  Plinn— Wounded  in  left  knee,  at  Port  Hudson.    On  detailed  service  some 

time  at  General  Emory's  H'd  Q'rs. 

Jonathan  J.  French— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson.    Accidentally  wounded  ill  toe, 
at  Bolivar,  Va.,  for  which  he  was  discharged  at  Mower  Hospital,  Philadelphia, 

May  22,  '65. 
Lucian  N.  Fnlford— Mortally  wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  right  thigh,  from 

which  he  died  at  New  Orleans,  June  18,  '63. 
Ransom  J.  Fnlford— Died  of  disease,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Dec.  2,  '62.    Brother  of 

Lncian. 

Uri  Gates— Generally  with  his  Co. 

George  F.  Gilbert— Slightly  wounded  in  face,  at  Opequan. 
William  H.  Hardenburg — Generally  present.    Never  wounded. 
George  W.  Hayes— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  wrist. 
^Palmer  Hinman— Served  with  wagon  train  in  the  valley. 
Michael  Horrigan— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  arm. 
"Warren  H.  Howard— Wounded  slightly  at  Port  Hudson,  in  right  hand.    Wounded 

at  Opequan,  in  knee.    Limb  amputated,  and  discharged  at  Chester  Hospital, 

Philadelphia,  May  20,  '05. 

'Otis  Kinney— Disch'd  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Aug.  6,  '63. 
"Elbridge  E.  Lamunion— Enlisted  as  wagoner,  but  afterwards  placed  in  the  ranks. 

Wounded  at  Port  Hudson.     Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  both  legs  and  side. 
Richard  Laws — Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

Aug.  16,  '63. 

David  C.  Loomis — Taken  prisoner  at  Brashear,  and  paroled.    Wounded  at  Opeq 
uan,  in  arm. 

J.  Wallace  Lord — In  all  the  fights,  and  never  wounded. 
Dorr  H.  Main— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept,  1,  '63. 

Barrett  S.  Main— Disch'd  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  early  in  the  service. 
Charles  Moore— Discharged  with  Co. 

Albert  Morse— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Brashear  City,  Sept.  1,  '63. 
Daniel  W.  Niles— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Jan.  4,  '64. 
Asa  Parker — Wounded  in  wrist,  at  Opequan. 
'George  L.  Root — Wounded  in  right  thigh,  at  Port  Hudson.    Wounded  severely  in 

arm,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  hospital,  after  the  Regt. 
Francis  M.  Sanders— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  thigh. 
Fennimore  Shoit— Enlisted  Aug.  10,  '64.    Killed    at  Opequan;    shot  through 

bowels,  while  carrying  off  a  comrade,  and  lived  but  a  few  minutes. 
Nelson  Short— Brother  of  Fennimore.    Enlisted  Aug.  10,  'C4.    Wounded  in  the 

head,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  Insane  Asylum,  Washington,  D.  C. 
"William  S.  Short— Cousin  of  the  above.    Enlisted  Aug.  10,  '64.    Wounded  in 

arm,  at  Opeqnan,  and  discharged  at  Chestnut  Hill  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  Pa., 

March  4,  '65. 
Ttieodore  S.  Smith— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

May  18,  '63. 

Elijah  St.  John— Transferred  to  non-commissioned  staff,  and  promoted  to  Ser 
geant  Major,  Sept.  4,  '62.    Promoted  to  1st  Lieutenant,  Co.  KT  Sept.  6,  '85. 

(See  page  536.) 


APPENDIX.  ^        569 

Charles  H.  Stone— Slightly  wounded  at  Opequan. 

CharleH  E.  Thompson — Killed  at  Opequan,  being  shot  through  right  Bide  and  left 
breast.  His  remains  were  subsequently  disinterred  by  his  father,  Elihn  Thomp 
son,  and  buried  near  Poolville,  N.  Y.  This  noble  youth  was  one  of  five  equally 
brave  young  men,  who  enlisted  together  from  the  little  village  of  Poolville. 
Sawdy,  Shepardson,  Holmes  and  Dunham,  were  the  names  of  the  others.  They 
tented  together,  and  lived  together  as  far  as  it  is  possible  for  soldiers  thus  to 
live  in  the  army.  The  battle  of  Opequan  sealed  the  fate  of  all  save  one,  and 
he,  as  will  be  seen,  is  a  cripple  for  life. 

Stephen  Tuttle— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  Nov.  20,  '63. 

George  W.  Tyler — Captured  at  Cedar  Creek.  An  exchanged  prisoner  at  Annapolis?, 
Md  ,  when  the  Regt.  was  mustered  ont. 

Edward  H.  Vicllear— Wounded  at  Opequan.    Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Jan.  23,  '63. 

James  C.  Walters— Served  some  time  as  Co.  cook. 

Charles  H.  Watson— Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

La  Fayette  Webb— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  March  22,  '64. 

Thomas  H.  Webb— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  28,  '64. 

Patrick  Welch— Mustered  out  in  McDougal  Hospital,  New  York  Harbor,  since 
the  Regt. 

William  Welch— Returned  with  Co. 

Edward  Wholihan— Returned  with  Co. 

John  Wholihan — Brother  of  Edward. 

Leroy  B.  Woods— Wounded  at  Port  Hudson,  in  right  knee,  from  the  effect  of 
which  he  died  at  St.  James  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  July  4,  '63. 

Galnsha  A.  York— Died  at  Berwick  City,  La.,  of  disease,  May  20,  '03. 


COMPANY  H. 

Captain  Dyer  D.  Bullock— Was  the  Captain  of  the  Co.  upon  its  organization.  In 
Oct.  of  62,  he  was  for  a  time  on  duty  with  a  detachment  of  his  men  at  Upper 
Marl  borough,  Md.,  and  fora  short  season  was  in  command  of  Convalescent 
Camp  at  Brashear  City.  Resigned  hia  commission  for  physical  disability,  in 
Aug.,  '63.  Was  subsequently  appointed  Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster, 
and  assigned  to  duty  in  New  Haven,  Conn.  He  was  presented  by  James  M. 
Banks,  with  a  sword,  sash  and  belt,  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  of  Bainbridge. 

Captain  Robert  P.  York— Was  the  original  1st  Lieutenant  of  the  Co.  Was  made 
Captain,  vice  Bullock,  Aug.  9,  '63.  He  served  in  the  -capacity  of  Ordnance 
Officer,  Inspector  General  and  Provost  Marshal  of  Weitzel's  Brigade  ;  also,  Pro 
vost  Marshal  of  1st  Div.  10th  Corps,  and  Commissary  of  Musters  of  Diy.  and 
Corps.  In  Jan.  of  '64,  he  was  commissioned  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  75th 
N.  Y.,  and  subsequently  wa?  appointed  Provost  Marshal  of  Savannah,  Ga., 
whither  he  went  with  his  Regt.  A  sword,  sash  and  belt  were  presented  him  by 
the  citizens  of  De  Ruyter,  and  a  complimentary  supper  given  him  upon  visiting 
his  home  in  Dec.,  '64,  in  consideration  of  his  gallant  conduct  and  meritorious 
service.  Slightly  wounded  at  Opequan. 


570  APPENDIX. 

Captain  Uriah  Rorapaugh— Was  at  first  a  Sergeant  of  Co.  E.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant,  June  27,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Lientenant,  Sept.  1,  '63.  Promoted  Captain, 
March  15,  '65,  and  assigned  to  Co.  H,  in  which  capacity  he  served  till  the  close 
of  the  war. 

First  Lieutenant  Edward  E.  Breed— Originally  a  Corporal  of  Co.  A.  Promoted 
Sergeant,  April  9,  '63.  Discharged  to  receive  promotion  as  2d  Lieutenant,  Aug., 
'63,  and  assigned  to  Co.  H.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  Oct.,  63.  (See  pages 
521-538.) 

First  Lieutenant  Theodore  Evans— Entered  the  service  as  a  private.  Promoted 
to  Corporal,  Sept.  26,  '62.  Promoted  Sergeant,  Aug.  14,  '62.  Promoted  1st 
Lieutenant,  Dec.  14,  '64.  In  Dec.,  '63,  he  was  sent  North  on  recruiting  service, 
and  in  Aug.,  '64,  was  ordered  with  a  squad  of  men  to  New  Orleans,  to  obtain 
the  camp  and  garrison  equipage  of  1st  Div.  19th  Corps,  left  in  the  Gulf  Depart 
ment.  Lieutenant,  then  Sergeant  Evans,  is  the  soldier  referred  to  by  General 
Emory,  in  his  testimony  before  the  War  Committee,  as  recorded  on  page  341 
of  the  Record.  This  officer  possesses  a  remarkable  mechanical  genius,  belong 
ing  to  a  family  of  mechanics  and  millwrights — his  father,  Jehial  Evans,  being 
one  of  the  best  in  the  Country.  The  plan  for  the  removal  of  the  gunboats  from 
Eed  Eiver,  suggested  by  Sergeant  Evans,  was  the  one  adopted  by  Colonel 
Bailey,  the  success  of  which  made  him  a  Brigadier. 

Second  Lieutenant  Edwin  M.  Osborne— Was  originally  a  2d  Lieutenant.  Was 
mustered  out  of  service  in  March,  '63,  to  date  from  the  day  he  was  mustered 
into  service.  A  little  son,  who  followed  the  Regt.,  died  of  fever  at  Port  Royal. 

First  Sergeant  Orlando  J.  Aylesworth— Was  the  first  Orderly  of  the  Co.  He  re 
ceived  a  2d  Lieutenant's  commission,  but  was  never  able  to  be  mustered  to 
that  grade.  At  Opequan  he  was  severely  wounded  in  the  head.  He  kept  about 
most  of  the  time  till  his  death,  which  occurred  suddenly,  Oct.  4,  '63.  A  short 
time  previous,  he  wrote  to  his  family  in  Oxford,  that  he  was  improving,  and 
would  soon  be  home.  There  were  none  who  took  more  delight  in  doing  their 
duty  than  Sergeant  Aylesworth. 

First  Sergeant  Charles  Hemmingway— Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Ser 
geant,  Aug.  1,  '63.  Promoted  to  1st  Sergeant,  May  1,  '65,  vice  Aylesworth. 
Wounded  in  leg  at  Opequan. 

Sergeant  Otis  D.  W.  Brown— Promoted  Corporal,  July  1,  '63.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
May  1,  65. 

Sergeant  Luke  C.  Burdick— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63. 

Sergeant  Wellington  H  Lines^— Originally  a  Sergeant.  Acting  Orderly  for  near 
ly  a  year  and  a  half.  Wounded  at  Opequan  in  neck.  Discharged  from  McClel- 
lan  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  May  22,  '65. 

Sergeant  Henry  D.  Mason— Killed  at  Cedar  Creek.  His  loss  was  a  grevious  one 
to  the  Co. 

Sergeant  Alonzo  B.  Merchant— Promoted  from  private  to  Sergeant,  Oct.  19,  '64, 
for  good  conduct  in  battle.  For  a  time  in  command  of  Co.  at  Camp  Russell,  Va. 

Sergeant  Wheaton  J.  Race — Promoted  Corporal,  July  1,  '03.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
May  1,  '65. 

Sergeant  Charles  E.  Stratton— Discharged  at  Port  Royal,  for  disability,  Dec.  15, 
'62. 


APPENDIX.  571 

Sergeant  Thomas  H.  Warton— Promoted  to  Corporal,  July  1,  '63.    Promoted  to 

Sergeant,  Dec.  24,  '64.    Detailed  as  mail  agent  for  let  Div.  19th  Corps,  for.  over 

a  year. 

Sergeant  Abial  J.  Williams— Disch'd  for  rheumatism,  July  2,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
Corporal  Abel  R.  Corbin,  Jr.— Died  of  acute  dysentery,  at  Berwick  City,  La., 

June  2,  '63. 

Corporal  Timothy  Corbin— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  24,  '64. 
Corporal  Coiiant  Fosburg— Promoted  Corporal,  May  1,  '65.    In  eyery  battle,  and 

never  hit. 

Corporal  Madison  J.  Gillett— Promoted  Corporal,  Sept.  1,  '63. 
Corporal  Charles  P.  Green— Killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  being  shot  through  the  body. 

He  took  off"  his  accoutrements,  walked  a  few  rods,  and  fell  to  the  ground  dead. 
Corporal  Andrew  J.  Groat— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  1,  '63.    Died  of  chronic 

diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  June  18,  '63 . 
Corporal  Merrill  E.  Harrington— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  24,  '64.     Wounded 

in  arm,  at  Opequan. 
Corporal  Henry  D.  Merrill— Promoted  Corporal,  May  1, '65.    Wounded  badly    in 

left  arm,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Was  right  general  guide  of  the  Regt.  for  a  long  time. 
Corporal  John  R.  Norris — Wounded  in  both  legs,  at  Opequan,  injuring  the  right 

severely.    Discharged  May  12,  '65,  at  Jarvis  Hospital,  Philadelphia. 
Corporal  Wallace  F.  Potter— Promoted  to  Corporal,   Dec.  24,   '64.     Wounded 

slightly  in  hand  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Corporal  Harmon  E.  Reed— Disch'd  Dec  4,  '62,  at  Baltimore,  for  disease  of  lungs. 
Corporal  Morell  Smith — Promoted  Corporal,  May  1,  '65.    Wounded  in  arm  at 

Cedar  Creek,  slight. 
Corporal  Albert  N.  Wheelock— Slightly  wounded  in  neck,  at  Bisland.    Detailed 

for  duty  in  Commissary  Department,  Brig.  H'd  Q'rs. 

Wagoner  George  E.  Teed— Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Com 
missary  Sergeant,  Dec.  1,  '64.    Wounded  slight  in  hand,  at  Opequan.    (See 

page  537.) 

Adelbert  S.  Ackley— Enlisted  Sept.  3,  '64.    Wounded  in  foot,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Edwin  R.  Aldrich — Slightly  wounded  in  arm,  at  Opequan. 
Benjamin  Allen— Wounded  severely  in  left  arm,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in 

hospital. 

Phillip  J.  Arnold— Discharged  for  disability,  Feb.  27,  '63,  at  Baltimore,  MM. 
Angus  S.  Arnold— Instantly  killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  being,  shot  through  the  head. 
George  Aylesworth — For  a  long  time  detailed  in  Commissary  Department  of  Brig . 
Sherrington  Bache— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64. 
Erastus  Baker— Enlisted  Sept.  3,  '64. 

Ransom  A.  Bartholomew— Disch'd  for  disability,  Aug.  4,  '63,  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
Julius  Beckwith— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan.    Mustered  out  in  Sat- 

terlee  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  since  the  Regt. 
Carpenter  Bennett— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  '64.    Discharged  for  disability  at  Satterlee 

Hospital,  May  17,  '65. 

Isaac  H.  Brewster— Died  at  Braehear  City,  La.,  Aug.  24,  '63.  of  chronic  diarrhea. 
Charles  W.  Brooks  -Detailed  as  butcher  at  different  army  H'd  Q'rs. 
Deloe  Brown-Died  of  disease,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Sept.  14,  '63. 

37 


572  APPENDIX. 

Delos  P.  Burdick— Died  ©f  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  13,  '63. 

William  S.  Burdett— Wounded  in  leg  at  Opequan,  severely.  Discharged  at  Sat- 
terlee  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  May  IT,  '65. 

George  Cannon— Left  sick  with  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Fortress  Monroe.  After 
wards  died  at  home,  in  Bainbridge,  N.  Y. 

William  H.  Gardner— Left  sick  at  Hilton  Head,  S.  C.,  and  subsequently  trans 
ferred  to  V.  R.  C. 

Henry  R.  Clark— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Robinson  J.  Ceoley— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Dec.  3,  '62, 

Chester  Corbin— Discharged  at  Stewart's  Mansion  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Jan. 
27,  '63. 

Oscar  M.  Corey— Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  leg,  severe,  and  in  consequence 
died  at  Patterson  Park  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  11,  '64. 

James  Cronan— Enlisted  Sept.  5,  '64. 

Thomas  Dolan— Died  on  boa  rd  Barque  Voltigeur,  at  sea  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico. 
(See  page  96.) 

David  S.  Dort— Served  a  long  time  as  Co.  cook,  and  always  on  hand  with  coffee. 

Simeon  Eckerson— Died  of  disease,  at  New  Orleans,  March  6,  '63. 

William  H.  Edgerton— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Sept.  30,  '63,  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

Charles  L.  Evans — This  soldier  was  borne  for  some  time  upon  the  rolls  of  his  Co. 
as  a  deserter.  It  was  subsequently  learned  that  he  was  doing  duty  with  a  Cav 
alry  Regt.,  with  which  he  had  been  innocently  induced  to  unite  himself  while 
on  his  way  from  the  hospital  to  join  his  Co.  He  was,  however,  tried  and  sen 
tenced  to  serve,  in  addition  to  the  period  of  his  enlistment,  the  time  of  his  ab 
sence.  When  the  114th  was  mustered  out,  he  was  transferred  to  the  90th  N.  Y. 

Edward  D.  Evans— Enlisted  Aug.  31,  '64. 

Isaiah  M.  Fuller— Died  of  disease,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  April  25,  '63. 

Andrew  E.  Gager— Discharged  for  disability,  June  11,  '63,  at  New  Orleans.  He 
reached  home  July  2,  and  died  two  days  after,  at  the  house  of  his  father,  Abram 
Gager,  in  De  Ruyter. 

Isaac  Hamilton— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  July  1,  '63. 

Adoniram  J.  Hamlin— Wounded  severely  at  Cedar  Creek,  the  ball  entering  left 
side  and  taken  out  of  back.  Mustered  out  at  Jarvis  Hospital,  Philadelphia. 

Benjamin  F.  Hamlin— Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  '63,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 

James  Hill— Mortally  wounded  through  the  head,  at  Bisland,  and  died  the  follow 
ing  morning.  The  first  man  in  the  Regt.  killed  in  action. 

Henry  B.  Hoyt — Generally  with  Co  ;  never  wounded. 

Benjamin  R.  Jenks— Served  a  while  as  orderly  at  Div.  H'd  Q'rs,  and  as  private 
servant  of  General  Emory. 

Charles  J.  Kellogg— Deserted  while  in  hospital  at  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

George  J.  Knowlton— Killed  July  T,  '63,  at  Port  Hudson,  while  detailed  with  a 
battery,  being  shot  through  the  left  lung. 

Willis  B.  Landon— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Waterman  W.  Lull— Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.  21,  '63,  at  Fortress  Monroe. 

Ezra  L.  Manning— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C .,  March  21,  '65. 

George  H.  Mead— Served  some  time  as  private  servant  of  Colonel  Smith. 

Thomas  McCue— Wounded  severely  in  knee,  at  Opequan. 


APPENDIX.  573 

Patrick  Mullen— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Opequan,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  died, 

Nov.  1,  '64,  at  Winchester. 

Francis  M.  Muncey — Discharged  the  service  in  '63.    Since  died. 
James  A.  Muncey— Brother  of  the  above ;  died  of  disease,  at  New  Iberia,  La  , 

Dec.  29,  '63. 

Hiram  Munson— Died  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  Dec.  23,  '63,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 
Charles  H.  Myers— For  over  a  year  clerk  at  St.  Louis  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  at 

which  place  he  was  mustered  out. 

George  H.  Nash — Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  July  30,  '63. 
George  A.  Phelps— Wounded  in  breast,  slight,  at  Opequan. 
Jay  W.  Rigby— Detailed  for  eight  months  in  Post  Hospital  at  Winchester,  Va. 
George  Rogers— Discharged  for  disability,  Sept.  10,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 
James  Sandall— For  nearly  two  years  Co.  cook. 

Densmore  Sanders— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  23,  '63. 
John  C.  Sayles— Wounded  severely  at  Opequan,  in  side. 
Dennis  B.  Shelly— Generally  present. 

Daniel  Stearns— Enlisted  Jan.  4,  'C4.    Died  at  New  Orleans,  July  22,  '64. 
George  W.  Stearns — Absent  in  hospital  for  nearly  two  years. 
John  H.  Stearns — Wounded  severely,  at  Opeqnan. 

Nathan  W.  Steere— Died  Jan.  13,  '64,  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Franklin,  La. 
Ai  Stillman— Died  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Oct.  9,  '63,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 
Orville  L.  Stillman— Enlisted  Aug.  6,  '64.    Wounded  in  abdomen,  at  Opequan. 

Wounded  in  hand,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Welcome  E,  Stillman— Detailed  throughout  his  entire  service  as  a  drummer,  and 

one  of  the  best. 

Jerome  Stork— Died  July  3,  '63,  of  malarious  fever  and  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Ma 
rine  Hospital,  New  Orleans. 

Aaron  W.  Strong— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 
Dwight  F.  Taylor— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  10,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 
Griggs  A.  Taylor — Wounded  severely  in  groin,  at  Opequan. 
George  Thompson— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan.    Discharged  May  16, 

'65,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Lewis  Thompson— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Discharged  May  17, 

'65.  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 

Lorenzo  Thompson — Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  July  10,  '63,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 
Rial  Thompson— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek,  from  the  effects  of  which  he 

died,  at  Winchester,  Va.,  Nov.  25,  '64. 

Seth  D.  Thompson — Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans,  in  the  summer  of  '63.. 
Warren  K.  Welch— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan.   Discharged  at  McClel- 

lan  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  May  19.  '65. 

Wells  G.  Wight— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  early  in  '63. 
William  S.  Willis— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  March  12,  '63. 
James  I.  Wooley— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  April  18,  '63. 
Charles  I.  York— Disabled  for  a  long  time  with  white  swelling. 
Jacob  Voltz— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Opequan. 
Tony  Jones— Under  cook  of  African  descent.    Enlisted  Sept.  1, '63.    Transferred 

to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1,  '65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


574  APPENDIX. 


COMPANY  I. 

Captain  J.  Floyd  Thompson— Recruited  the  Company,  but  upon  the  organization 
of  the  Regt.,  was  immediately  appointed  Quartermaster.  Resigned  his  com 
mission  Feb.,  '63.  (See  page  530.) 

Captain  Hiram  S.  Wheeler— Appointed  Captain  directly  after  the  Regt.  was  or 
ganized,  and  served  in  that  capacity  during  the  war.  Several  times  hit,  but 
never  seriously  wounded.  Detailed  for  some  time  on  Court  Martial  at  Div. 
H'd  Q'rs. 

First  Lieutenant  Nelson  W.  Schermerhorn— Originally  2d  Lieutenant.  Promoted 
1st  Lieutenant  a  few  days  after  organization  of  Company.  Promoted  Captain. 
and  assigned  to  Company  D,  Jan.  20,  '65.  (See  page  550.) 

First  Lieutenant  Charles  J.  Biggs— Originally  a  private  in  Company  C,  but  wag 
soon  promoted  successively  Corporal  and  Sergeant.  Transferred  to  Non-Corn. 
Staff,  and  promoted  Sergeant  Major,  Oct.  1,  '63.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant, 
and  assigned  to  Company  I,  vice  Schermerhorn,  Dec.  9,  '64.  (See  pages  536-547.) 

Second  Lieutenant  Elias  P.  Pellet— Commissioned  2d  Lieutenant,  vice  Schermer 
horn,  soon  after  the  Regt.  was  completed.  Promoted  Adjutant,  June  14,  '63, 
Promoted  Captain  of  Company  E,  July  1,  '64.  (See  pages  535  and  555.) 

First  Sergeant  Dennis  Thompson — Promoted  2d  Lieutenant,  June  14,  '63,  vice 
Pellet,  but  never  mustered  to  that  grade.  Promoted  1st  Lieutenant,  and  as 
signed  to  Company  B,  Nov.  14,  '64.  (See  page  542.) 

First  Sergeant  Jerome  F.  Wheeler— Originally  a  Sergeant.  Promoted  1st  Ser 
geant,  yice  Thompson,  Dec.  16,  «64.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  thumb  of 
left  hand,  which  was  amputated.  Discharged  June  7,  '65,  at  York,  Pa. 

Sergeant  William  H.  Calkins— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  Aug.  16,  »63,  at  Camp  Hub- 
bard,  Thibodeaux,  La.  He  volunteered  in  the  "forlorn  hope  "  at  Port  Hudson.* 

Sergeant  Freeman  C.  Stanton — Promoted  to  Sergeant,  from  Corporal,  Nov.  1,  '63. 
Never  absent  from  the  Company  over  night. 

Sergeant  Stephen  D.  Thompson— Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  Sergeant, 
Dec.  16,  '64.  Wounded  severely  below  right  knee,  at  Opequan.  Discharged  at 
Satterlee  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  May  29,  '65. 

Sergeant  John  Van  Dusen — Promoted  to  Sergeant,  from  Corporal,  Aug.  31,  '63. 
Wounded  in  right  hip,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

Sergeant  Cyrus  R.  Warner — Originally  a  Sergeant.  Sent  North  on  recruiting  ser 
vice,  in  the  winter  of  '63-4.  For  over  a  year  acting  Orderly  of  the  Company. 

Corporal  George  H.  Atkins — Promoted  to  Corporal,  July  1,  '63. 

Corporal  Albert  Dellow— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  16,  '64. 

Corporal  Earnest  Johnson— Promoted  Corporal,  by  General  Order,  Oct.  19,  '63, 
for  gallant  conduct  on  that  day.  (See  page  461.) 

Corporal  Justus  Lewis— Enlisted  Dec.  16,  '64.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  1, 
'65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

Corporal  Daniel  Preston — Promoted  to  Corporal,  Nov.  1,  '63,  for  good  conduct. 

*  The  names  of  the  others  who  volunteered  from  the  Regt.,  in  the  Storming 
Brigade,  were  Lampson,  Potter,  Howard,  and  Herbert  Cheesbro,  of  Company  G, 
and  E.  L.  Widger,  of  Company  J. 


APPENDIX.  575 

Corporal  John  Q.  Perry— Wounded  in  face,  slight,  at  Pleasant  Hall     Wounded  in 

right  arm,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Discharged  May  30,  'C5,  at  Philadelphia,  Pa. 
Corporal  Santbrd  W.  Sherman— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  16,  '04. 
Corporal  Edwin  Stanton — Promoted  to  Corporal,  Aug.  31,  '63,  for  good  conduct. 

Wounded  severely  at  Cedar  Creek,  the  ball  passed  nearly  half  round  the  body. 
Corporal  Alfred  P.  Sweet— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  '62.    Died  at  Marine  Hospi 
tal,  New  Orleans,  June  2T,  '03,  of  chronic  diarrhea. 
Corporal  Elbert  L.  Widger— Promoted  Corporal.  June  1,  '03.    Wounded  slight  in 

hip,  at  Pleasant  Hill.    Wounded  on  skirmish  line,  slight,  in  face,  near  Mount 

Jackson,  Va.     Wounded  severely  in  right  arm  at  Cedar  Creek.    Discharged  at 

Mower  Hospital,  Philadelphia,  May  23,  '65. 
Corporal  Elisha  G.  Wilmarth— Promoted  to  Corporal,  Dec.  31,  '62.    Instantly 

killed  at  Pleasant  Hill.    A  good  soldier. 
Musician  Lysander  Butts — Died  of  consumption,  at  McKim's  Mansion  Hospital, 

Baltimore,  Md.,  Dec  IS,  '64.    Brother  of  Musician  Butts,  of  Company  K. 
Musician  Dwight  D.  Eldridge— Died  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Portress  Monroe, 

of  typhoid  fever,  Dec.  7,  '02.    He  went  by  the  name  of  "drummer  boy."    His 

remains  were  subsequently  brought  home  and  buried  in  Pitcher,  N.  Y. 
George  W.  Allen— Wounded  severely  in  right  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Discharged 

May  23,  '05,  at  Chestnut  Hill  Hospital,  Philadelphia. 
Charles  H.  Babcock— Taken  prisoner,  Sept.  4,  '04,  by  Mosby,  while  guarding  an 

ambulance  train  en  route  to  Harper's  Ferry,  from  Berryville.    Confined  for 

some  time  in  Libby  Prison.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 
A.M.  Ball— Enlisted  Sept,  1,  '04. 

Charles  M.  Barrett— Detailed  on  hospital  duty,  throughout  his  service. 
Joel  F.  Bassett— Wounded  severely  in  left  knee,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Limb  amputated, 

and  discharged  April  10,  '05,  at  Patterson  Park  Hospital,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Charles  F.  Beckwith-  Died  Oct.  12,  '03,  at  the  Lincklaen  House,  Cazenovia,  N. 

Y.,  while  on  his  way  home  to  Pharsalia,  N.  Y.,  on  furlough. 
George  W.  Bemas— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  April  30,  '63. 
Charles  Benson — Wounded  in  thigh,  at  Cedar  Creek. 

William  H.  Benson— Died  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  May  20,  '03,  of  malarious  fever. 
Lemuel  L  Briggs — Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  April  9,  '03. 
Lyman  Briggs— Froze  his  feet,  in  Dec.,  '03,  at  New  Iberia,  La.,  on  the  picket  line. 

Wounded  slightly  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  ankle. 
Francis  M.  Brown — For  some  time  absent  from  sickness. 
Franklin  Brown— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  Oct  20,  '03,  at  New  York  City. 
George  W.  Brown— Wounded  severely  at  Opequan,  in  both  thighs. 
Samuel  Church— Discharged  from  an  injury  to  his  hand,  March  23,  '03,  at  Marino 

Hospital,  New  Orleans. 
Amaziah  C.  Coats— Wounded  slightly  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.    A  jovial  fellow, 

worth  more  than  a  doctor  to  the  Regt.,  always  fiddling  for  impromptu  balls. 
Jackson  Cooper— Generally  present  with  Company. 
Robert  Cooper — Absent  a  short  time  from  sickness. 
Hiram  Cross— Detailed  for  a  long  time  at  Div.  and  Brig.  H'd  Q'rs  . 
Marshall  Dutton— Died  at  Camp  Belger,  Baltimore,  Md.,  of  diptheria,  Nov.  2,  '03. 
This  promising  youth  was  the  first  man  of  the  Regt.  that  died  in  camp.    His 


5*76  APPENDIX. 

remains  were  carefully  encofflned  by  Quartermaster  Thompson,  and  sent  to 

Otselic,  N.  Y.,  for  bnrial.    His  uncle  Hiram  Button,  whose  adopted  son  he  was, 

has  erected  a  befitting  monument  over  his  grave. 
Charles  M.  Dodge— Went  through  with  Regt,  and  never  wounded. 
Woodal  Eastman— Wounded  severely  in  right  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Thigh  ampu 
tated.    Discharged  April  16,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Charles  Eaton— Slightly  wounded  in  ear,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
William  W.  Fargo— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  June  1,  '63,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New 

Orleans. 

J.  C.  Fassett— In  all  the  campaigns  of  the  Regt. 
Delos  Finch— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  March 

31,  '63. 

Lamenzo  Finch— A  very  cool  man  in  battle. 
Dwight  Geer — Always  ready  for  any  emergency. 
Alonzo  Griggs— Left  at  Norwich,  sick  when  the  Regt.  took  its  departure.    Died  at 

home,  in  Pitcher,  N.  Y.,  Oct.  4,  '62. 

John  Hilliard— Wounded  severely  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek,  for  which  he  was  dis 
charged,  May  28,  65. 

Wells  G.  Huddleston— Mustered  out  with  Company. 
Beriah  B.  Kingsley— Wounded  severely  in  left  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.    Mustered  out 

in  hospital,  at  Philadelphia,  June  5,  '65. 
Joseph  Kingsley— Never  sick  or  wounded. 

Joseph  Kinlock— Disch'd  at  Chesapeake  Fospital,  Fortress  Monroe,  Feb.  18,  '63. 
William  Lasure— Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  the  leg. 
Asa  H.  Legg — Taken  prisoner  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and  confined  at  Tyler,  Texas. 

Afterwards  exchanged,  and  furloughed  home,  when  he  was  discharged  in  New 

York  City,  March  7,  '65. 

Jerome  W.  Levisee— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  April  G,  '63. 
James  A.  Locke— Wounded  through  body  and  head,  at  Sabine  Cross  Roads,  and 

died  the  same  night. 

Albert  E.  Lord— For  a  long  time  detailed  as  teamster. 
George  Luther— Drowned  in  the  Mississippi  River,  June  19,  '64,  while  bathing,  at 

Morganza,  La.    (See  page  364.) 
Thomas  McElroy— Mustered  out  with  the  Regt. 
James  McKee — Detailed  as  nurse  of  small-pox  patients  at  New  Iberia,  La.    Kill- 

ed  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Charles  Messenger— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Chesapeake  Hospital,  Fortress 

Monroe,  Dec.  19,  '62. 
William  W.  Moore— Died  upon  the  same  day  as  the  last  named  soldier,  at  the 

same  place,  and  of  the  same  disease. 
Valentine  Palmer — Killed  at  Cedar  Creek,  while  urging  his  comrades  to  stand  up 

to  the  line. 
Philander  Pa/ker— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

Aug.  6,  '63. 
David  F.  Porter— Died  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  8,  '63.    His  discharge  papers  were 

made  out,  but  he  was  never  able  to  leave  hospital. 
Orrin  A.  Price— Generally  present.    Never  wounded. 


APPENDIX.  571" 

Noah  Preston — Died  suddenly  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Camp  Russell,  near  New- 
town,  Va.,  Dec.  26,  '64.  Brother  of  Corporal  Preston. 

Frederick  Pritchard— Enlisted  Sept.  1,  '64.  Wounded  in  face  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Discharged  May  20,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Benjamin  F.  Reynolds— Discharged  for  disability  at  New  Orleans,  Sept.  28,  '63. 

Niles  Reynolds— Wounded  in  right  ankle,  at  Cedar  Creek.  Leg  amputated  below 
the  knee.  Discharged  at  McDougal  Hospital,  Fort  Schuyler,  N.  Y.,  June  12,  '65. 

Stephen  Reynolds-Discharged  for  disability  at  Baltimore,  Md.  Jan.  24,  '63. 

John  L.  Rhodes— Killed  at  Cedar  Creek.    A  faithful  soldier. 

Adam  S.  Rickard — Mustered  out  with  Company. 

Albert  Richer— Discharged  for  dropsy,  Aug.  25,  '63,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La. 

Bimmiel  Robbins — Deserted  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Oct.  19,  '62.  Afterwards  re-en 
listed  in  a  Pennsylvania  Regt.  Taken  prisoner  before  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  it 
is  supposed  he  died  at  Richmond,  Va. 

Henry  T.  Robbins — In  all  the  engagements  of  the  Regt. 

Lorenzo  Robbins— Discharged  for  disability  at  New  York  City,  Feb.  8,  '65. 

Nathan  Robbius— Enlisted  Jan.  5,  '64.    Died  July  28,  '64,  at  New  Orleans. 

Charles  Shaver— Deserted  before  Port  Hudson.  Subsequently  re-enlisted  in  an 
Artillery  Regt.  and  was  wounded  at  Cold  Harbor. 

George  Sheff — Generally  with  the  Company,  and  never  wounded. 

Reuben  Sherman— Wounded  in  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek.     Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Adam  Silvernail — Died  suddenly  of  congestive  chills,  in  camp  near  Franklin,  La. 
Feb.  3,  '64. . 

William  S.  Sipple— Killed  at  Port  Hudson,  by  a  cannon  ball,  July  1,  '63.  (See 
page  220.) 

Edwin  M.  Slawsoii— Enlisted  Nov.  1,  '03.    Deserted  July  16,  '64,  at  Snicker's  Gay. 

Albert  Stearns— Deserted  July  31,  '64,  at  Monocacy  Junction,  Md. 

Harvey  Stearns — Wounded  in  left  leg,  at  Cedar  Creek,  severely  injuring  bonet 
Discharged  May  14,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 

Morell  Sturgess— Wounded  by  an  accidental  shot  at  Port  Hudson,  of  which  he 
died  July  2,  '63.  (See  page  220.) 

Joseph  M.  Swift— Died  in  hospital  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  June  6,  '63. 

Jason  Taylor— For  a  time  on  duty  in  hospital. 

Henry  Teaky— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C  ,  Sept.  5,  '03.    Since  died  at  Elmira,  N.  Y. 

Henry  B. .Tyler— Died  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  May  14,  '63. 

Benjamin  Vaughau— In  most  of  the  battles  of  the  Regt. 

William  D.  Warner— On  duty  at  Winchester,  Va.,  during  the  Valley  campaign. 

Daniel  M.  Webster— Faithfully  served  for  some  time  as  Company  cook. 

Daniel  L.  Wells— Died  Aug.  12,  '63,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans. 

Thomas  Wells— Discharged  for  disability,  Nov.  20,  '63,  at  New  Orleans. 

Liberty  White— Died  of  disease,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  July  1,  '63. 

Levi  L.  Wilcox— Died  of  hemorrhage  of  the  bowels,  at  Brashear  City,  April  9,  »63. 

Thomas  Wilcox— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  June  6,  '63.  Brother 
of  Levi  Wilcox. 

Josiah  Wolcott— Escaped  without  wounds. 

Anthony  Bailey— Under  cook  of  African  descent.  Enlisted  Jan.  1,  '04.  Deserted 
July  2,  '64. 


578  APPENDIX, 


COMPANY  K. 

Captain  Seneca  Lake— The  original  Captain.  For  a  short  time  he  was  in  com 
mand  of  a  detachment  of  five  Companies  from  the  Regt.,  at  Bayou  Boeuf,  La. 
He  resigned  on  Surgeon's  certificate  of  disability,  Marth  G,  '64,  at  Franklin,  La. 

Captain  Homer  W.  Searle— Originally  was  2d  Lieutenant  of  Co.  G.  Promoted 
1st  Lieutenant  of  same  Company,  Sept.  1,  '03.  Promoted  Captain  and  assign 
ed  to  Co.  K,  vice  Lake,  July  1,  'C-i,  in  which  grade  he  was  mustered  out  of  the 
service  at  the  close  of  the  war.  (See  page  565.) 

First  Lieutenant  Daniel  C.  Knowlton— Promoted  Captain  and  assigned  to  Co.  I), 
Aug.  10,  '63.  Instantly  killed  at  Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  518  ) 

First  Lieutenant  Elijah  St.  John— Was  at  first  a  private  of  Co.  G.  Transferred  to 
Non.  Com.  Staff  and  promoted  Sergeant  Major,  Sept,  4,  '62,  Promoted  1st 
Lieutenant  and  assigned  to  Co.  K,  Sept.  5,  '63.  (See  page  536  ) 

Second  Lieutenant  Erastus  S.  Carpenter— Was  2d  Lieutenant  from  the  organiza 
tion.  Was  commissioned  1st  Lieutenant  Aug.  10,  '63,  out  was  never  mustered 
to  that  grade.  Resigned  his  commission  Sept.  3,  63. 

Second  Lieutenant  Robert  N.  Eddy— Was  originally  1st  Sergeant.  Promoted  2d 
Lieutenant,  vice  Carpenter,  July  1,  '63.  Detached  at  Brigade  H'd  Q'rs,  during 
the  siege  ot  Port  Hudson,  as  Acting  Assistant  Inspector  General  and  Acting 
Assistant  Adjutant  General.  For  a  year  before  the  muster-out  of  the  Regt.  he 
performed  various  staff  duties  at  Brigade  H'd  Q'rs,  the  last  of  which  was  Aide- 
de-Camp  to  General  Beal. 

First  Sergeant  Edward  E.  Hunt— Originally  a  Corporal.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant, 
vice  Eddy,  July  1,  '63.  Transferred  to  Non.  Com.  Staff  and  promoted  Sergeant 
Major,  Feb.  5,  '65.  In  Dec  '63  he  was  sent  north  on  recruiting  service. 

First  Sergeant  S.  Delevan  House — Originally  a  private.  Promoted  Corporal  Sept. 
10,  '64.  Promoted  Lance  Sergeant  Oct.  19,  '64,  by  General  Orders,  for  gallant 
conduct  on  that  day.  Promoted  1st  Sergeant,  vice  Hunt,  Feb.  5,  '65.  (See 
page  460.) 

Sergeant  George  C.  Billings-,Promoted  from  Corporal  to  Sergeant  May  1,  '64. 
Wounded  in  right  shoulder,  at  Opequan.  ^ 

Sergeant  David  M.  Jones— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  April  30,  '64,  at  New  Orleans 
Afterwards  promoted  1st  Sergeant  and  Sergeant  Major  in  the  20th,  Regt.  V.  R. 
C.  He  was  mustered  out  July  '65,  at  Camp  Bradford,  Baltimore,  Md. 

Sergeant  William  C.  Norton— Wounded  in  ear  at  Opequan. 

Sergeant  Daniel  W.  Sims — Promoted  Sergeant  from  Corporal  Jan.  2_:,  '64. — 
Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  right  ankle,  left  leg,  and  both  thighs.  Mustered  out 
in  hospital  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Aug  '65. 

Sergeant  Luzerne  A.  Ticknor — Detailed  for  a  long  time  as  Sergeant  of  Ambulance 
train. 

Corporal  Stephen  Barber— Promoted  Corporal  Oct.  19,  '64.  Honorable  mention 
was  made  of  this  gallant  soldier  in  General  Orders  for  good  conduct  at  the  bat 
tle  of  Cedar  Creek.  (See  page  461.) 

Corporal  Lucian  F.  Barnard— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  30,  '63.  Instantly  killed 
at  Pleasant  Hill,  being  shot  through  the  temple.  He  was  one  of  the  best  of 
soldiers,  and  the  first  man  of  the  Company  killed  in  action.  His  father,  Gur- 


APPENDIX.  579 

don  Barnard,  of  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  sent  to  recover  his  body,  but  the  attempt 
was  unsuccessful. 

•Corporal  William  R.  Colwell— Promoted  Corporal,  May  30,  '64.    Wounded  severe 
ly  in  left  arm,  at  Opequan.    Discharged  April  3,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Corporal  Adelbert  F.   Coope— Originally  a  private.     Promoted  Corporal  Aug., 

'63.    Promoted  Adjutant  vice  Pellet,  July,  '64.     (See  page  535.) 
Corporal  Henry  G.  Dixon— Promoted  Corporal,  Dec.  1,  '63.    Severely  wounded  in 

thigh,  at  Opequan. 

Corporal  John  B.  Goodsell— Promoted  Corporal,  Jan.  22,  '64.    Wounded  at  Ope 
quan,  in  thigh,  which  was  amputated.    Discharged  April,  '65,  at  Baltimore,  Md. 
Corporal  Nason  H.  Haight— Discharged  for  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Barracks  Hos 
pital,  New  Orleans,  Feb.  1,  '64. 
Corporal  James  F.  Loomis— Died  at  Donaldsonville,  La.,  July  23,  '63.    He  was 

carried  off  by  cholera,  .and  his  sickness  was  short. 

Corporal  William  E.  Mann— Made  Corporal  at  the  organization  of  the  Regt. 
Corporal  James  O'Brien— Promoted  Corporal,  Sept.  19,  '64,  for  bravery  that  day 

in  battle.    Never  absent  a  day,  and  never  attended  a  Surgeon's  call. 
Corporal  Owen  O'Connor— An  original  Corporal.    Discharged  Sept.  13,  '64,  to  re 
ceive  a  Lieutenant's  commission  in  the  173d  N.  Y. 
Musician  Samuel  C.  Butts— Enlisted  as  musician,  and  served  throughout  in  that 

capacity. 

Musician  Oscar  F.  Smith— Served  as  musician,  without  a  day's  absence. 
Charles  J.  Abbott— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  March  1,  '64,  at  Franklin,  La. 
William  P.  Albee— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

Jan.  2,  '64. 

Robert  Allen— Deserted  at  Baltimore,  Md.,  Nov.  4,  '62. 
Robert  R.  Bentley— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Barracks  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

July  29,  '63. 

William  Blanchard— Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  Jan.  2,  '63. 
William  H.  Broadfield — Discharged  for  scurvy  and  diarrhea,  at  Elmira,  N.  Y., 

March  29,  '64,  while  home  on  sick  furlough. 
Lorenzo  M.  Bronson — Discharged  April  8,  '63,  to  receive  commission  in  the  76th 

Regt.  U.  S.  C.  I.    Wounded  in  the  ankle,  before  Mobile,  about  the  time  that 

city  was  taken. 

John  Cadogan,  Jr.— Wounded  in  the  leg,  at  Opequan. 
Isaac  H.  Clark— Taken  prisoner  by  Mosby,  Sept.  4,  '64,  between  Berryville  and 

Harper's  Ferry,  while  guarding  an  ambulance  train  en  route  to  the  latter  place. 

He  was  taken  to  Richmond,  exchanged  and  returned  to  duty,  April  10,  '65.    The 

attention  he  received  in  Libby  Prison  was  not  of  the  most  nattering  character. 
Harvey  Clark— Died  at  University  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  Sept.  19,  '63,  of  typhoid 

fever.    For  some  time  it  was  supposed  that  he  was  drowned,  as  he  mysteriously 

disappeared  immediately  on  return  from  Sabine  Pass  voyage. 
Joseph  H.  Clark— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  June  11,  '64. 
Edwin  R.  Combs— Killed  instantly  at  Cedar  Creek,  being  shot  through  the  head. 

Although  a  sickly  soldier,  he  was  ever  cheerfully  disposed  to  do  his  duty.    For 

a  time  in  the  summer  of  '63,  he  served  as  baker  in  Arsenal  Hospital,  Baton 

Rouge. 


580  APPENDIX. 

James  M.  Combs— Brother  of  the  above.  Died  of  brain  fever,  at  Marine  Hospi 
tal,  New  Orleans,  March  9,  '63.  This  was  the  first  death  in  the  Company. 

Henry  C.  Combs— Left  home  sick,  when  Regt.  left  Norwich ;  joined  it  at  Camp 
Belger. 

Chauncey  J.  Cook— For  a  year  or  over  Company  cook.  Detailed  for  a  time  at 
New  Iberia,  La.,  in  a  saw  mill. 

Edward  Cook— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  July 
12,  '63. 

Enos  Cook— Enlisted  Aug.  6,  '64.  Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  left  fore-arm,  in 
juring  elbow  joint.  Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Sidney  Corkins — Wounded  in  hand,  at  Opequan  ;  lost  a  finger. 

Harvey  Daly— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  De  Euyter,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  '64, 
while  home  on  sick  furlough. 

Eli  H.  Davis— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in  June,  '65. 

Spencer  E.  Davis— In  all  the  battles  except  Cedar  Creek,  at  which  time  he  was 
on  duty  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Electus  B.  Dean— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  July  7,  '63. 

Charles  S.  Dodge— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  Nov.  7,  '64, 
while  home  on  sick  furlough.  Had  just  recovered  from  an  attack  of  small  pox. 

William  Dwyer— For  a  time  on  duty  in  hospital  at  Winchester. 

Henry  A.  Evarts— Discharged  for  disability,  at  McKim's  Mansion  Hospital,  Balti 
more,  Md.,  Nov.  13,  '62. 

Patrick  Farly — Generally  with  Company. 

James  Farrell— Died  suddenly  in  camp  near  Pattersonville,  La.,  of  congestive 
chills,  Sept.  24,  '63. 

Nathaniel  G.  Foote— Enlisted  Feb  22,  '64.  Transferred  to  90th  N.  Y.,  June  2, 
'65,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 

George  C.  Gault— Died  of  dropsy,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  30,  '63. 

Henry  A.  Gifibrd— Died  suddenly  in  camp  near  Centerville,  La.,  Sept.  29,  '63,  of 
typho-malarial  fever. 

George  E.  Gillson— Died  suddenly  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Barracks  Hospital, 
New  Orleans,  Sept.  8,  '63. 

Charles  N.  Gorton— Enlisted  Aug.  6,  '64.  Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  Winches 
ter,  Va.,  Dec.  3,  '64.  He  was  on  the  skirmish  line  the  first  day  after  joining  the 
Regt.,  and  fought  bravely  at  Opequan  the  second  day. 

Horace  R.  Graham— For  over  a  year  he  was  left  general  guide. 

George  P.  Haight— Wounded  slightly  in  leg  at  Opequan.  Taken  prisoner  and 
paroled  at  Brashear  City,  La. 

Franklin  Hammond— Captured  near  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  in  June,  '63,  while  guard 
ing  a  plantation ;  taken  to  Thibodeaux  and  paroled.  Discharged  at  New  Or 
leans,  for  disability,  March  8,  '64 ;  subsequently  re-enlisted. 

Orsemus  D.  Hill— There  was  no  better  soldier . 

Ansyl  D.  Hopkins— Wounded  at  Cedar  Creek,  in  shoulder.  Discharged  for  disa 
bility,  March  31,  '65. 

Myron  Howard— Discharged  July  2,  '63,  at  Marine  Hospital,  New  Orleans,  but 
died  of  typhoid  fever,  before  he  was  able  to  leave  his  bed. 

Willard  M.  Hudson— Wounded  in  the  ankle,  at  Opequan. 


APPBND1X.  581 

Stepben  Hungerford— Died  of  malarious  fever,  at  Brigade  Hospital,  Brashear 
City,  in  April,  '63. 

Thnrlow  C.  Irons— Discharged  at  New  Orleans,  for  disability,  in  Sept.,  »63. 

Seth  Johnson— Taken  prisoner  while  guarding  a  plantation  on  the  Mississippi 
River.  Was  found  sick  in  a  saw  mill  at  Thibodeaux,  La.,  when  the  Regt.  ar 
rived  there,  Aug.  1,  '63.  Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  New  Orleans*  Oct.  16,  '63. 

Thomas  Kearney— Daring  the  last  year  of  his  service,  from  his  age,  he  was  most 
ly  detailed  as  safe-guard. 

William  E.  Kingsley— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  June  4,  '63,  from 
which  he  was  discharged  at  St.  Louis,  Oct.  23,  '64. 

William  H.  Kinning— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  Sept.  13,  '63. 
Afterwards  re-enlisted  in  22d  N.  Y.  Cavalry. 

Charles  Knight— Faithfully  served  in  hospital,  in  various  capacities,  up  to  the 
time  of  his*death.  In  the  fall  of  '63,  he  was  detailed  as  acting  Hospital  Steward 
with  a  Regt.  of  U.  S.  C.  I.,  and  sent  to  Texas,  where  he  died  at  Matagorda 
Island,  of  congestion  of  the  lung,  Dec.  IT,  '63.  His  sickness  was  short. 

Lewis  S.  Logons— Detached  for  over  a  year  as  Acting  Regimental  Instructor. 
Corps  d'Afrique. 

John  F.  Madge— Died  of  fever  and  diarrhea,  at  Franklin,  La.,  Feb.  16,  '64.  His 
officers  spoke  of  him  in  terms  of  highest  praise. 

Joseph  J.  McCullough— Wounded  in  the  chest,  at  the  battle  of  Opequan,  from  the 
effects  of  which  he  died,  Sept.  26,  at  Winchester,  Va. 

Charles  E.  Myers— Wounded  in  battle  of  Opequan,  Sept.  19,  '63. 

Charles  B.  Needham— Died  of  malarious  fever,  at  Baton  Rouge,  La.,  July  15,  '63. 

Herbert  N.  Newton— Died  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  of  diptheria,  Aug.  29,  '63,  after 
an  illness  of  two  days. 

Daniel  W.  Nichols— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Fort  Columbus,  N.  Y.  Harbor. 
May  12,  '64. 

Clinton  K.  Nourse— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  wrist.    Mustered  out  in  hospital. 

Orlow  Z.  Nourse— Discharged  for  disability,  at  Cazenovia,  N.  Y.,  Feb.  19,  '64. 

Lewis  Nourse— Detailed  as  cook  in  hospital  at  Winchester,  after  the  battle  of 
Opequan. 

Abel  P.  Pangborn— This  soldier,  than  whom  there  was  none  more  faithful,  was 
hit  at  Opequan  three  times  before  he  could  be  removed  from  the  field  ;  first  in 
the  bowels,  then  in  the  leg,  lastly  in  the  head,  killing  him  instantly. 

William  P.  Partello— Died  of  chronic  diarrhea,  in  convalescent  camp,  Brashear 
City,  La.,  June  2,  '63.  He  was  found  dead  in  his  tent. 

Nial  D.  Perry— Died  of  typhoid  fever,  at  Brashear  City,  La.,  May  26,  f>3. 

John  H.  Preston— Mostly  with  Regt.,  never  wounded. 

William  H.  H.  Rathbun— Wounded  himself  accidentally  in  foot,  at  Port  Hudson, 
June  1,  '65,  and  died  from  the  effects  of  chloroform,  during  a  surgical  opera 
tion  the  same  day. 

William  C.  Reddy  -For  a  long  time  detached  as  Acting  Sergeant  Major  in  the  3d 
Regt.  Engineers,  Corps  d'Afrique.  Transferred  to  the  4th  Regt.  Engineers, 
subsequently  the  78th,  U.  S.  C.  I.,  and  promoted  2d  Lieutenant,  April  T,  '64. 
He  has  served  in  the  capacity  of  Adjutant  of  the  Post  of  New  Iberia,  La.,  and 
Acting  A.  A.  General  of  a  Provisional  Brigade.  He  is  still  in  the  service. 


"582  APPENDIX. 

•Ctyrenus  A,  Rogers— Wounded  in  thigh,  severely,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
:  Eugene  Santee— Wounded  at  Opequan,  in  left  ankle,  severe.    Mustered  out  at 

York.  Pa.,  before  the  Regt. 

William  E.  Savage— Wounded  in  left  leg,  at  Opequan.    Limb  amputated,  and  he 
died  of  pyeemia,  on  the  27th  of  Oct.,  at  Winchester,  Va.    His  remains  were  dis 
interred  at  the  end  of  some  two  weeks,  and  buried  with  funeral  services  in  New 
Woodstock,  N.  Y. 
'  Oliver  M.  Slocum— Discharged  for  disability,  at  St.  Louis  Hospital,  New  Orleans, 

Oct.  12,  '63. 
Christopher  C.  Spencer— Instantlykilled  at  Opequan.    He  was  never  absent  from 

duty. 

Perry  Tibbetts — Generally  present  with  Company. 
William  Tuttle— Generally  present  with  Company. 
'Theron  L.  Vincent— Died  suddenly  of  chronic  diarrhea,  at  St.  Louis  Hospital,  New 

Orleans,  July  21,  '03 

'Thomas  Walker— Wounded  in  thigh,  severe,  at  Cedar  Creek. 
Joseph  A.  Wallace— Wounded  slightly  in  shoulder,  at  Bisland.    Wounded  in 

bowels  at  Opequan,  and  died  the  same  night.     He  fell  a  Christian  soldier. 
John  R.  Watts— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  Franklin,  La.,  March  1,  '64. 
'Newell  B.  Webber— Nurse  for  a  year,  at  St.  Louis  Hospital,  New  Orleans. 
Lewis  L.  Weed— Transferred  to  Non-Com.  Staff,  and  promoted  Hospital  Steward, 

July  1, '63.    (See  page  536.) 

Samuel  A.  Wheeler — Discharged  for  disability,  at  New  Orleans,  April  24,  '64. 
James  Wilson— This  soldier  was  long  reported  as  a  deserter  on  the  rolle,  but  was 
not  such  in  fact,  as  he  re-enlisted  for  three  years  in  the  185th  N.  Y.,  while  home 
on  furlough,  under  the  misrepresentation  of  a  recruiting  officer.    While  in  the 
latter  Regt.,  he  was  badly  wounded  in  the  shoulder,  at  Petersburgh,  Va.,  for 
which  he  was  discharged  the  service.    He  was  a  faithful  soldier. 
Giles  E.  Woodin— Transferred  to  V.  R.  C.,  at  New  Orleans,  March  1,  '64.    Since 

dfed  at  home,  in  New  Woodstock,  N  Y. 
Heuben  D.  Wright— Most  of  time  sick  in  hospital. 

Frank  B.  Wyman — Discharged  at  Fortress  Monroe,  for  disability,  in  Nov.,  '62. 
Alfred  Marsh— Under  cook  of  African  descent.    Enlisted  Feb.  25,  '64 ;  deserted 
March  15,  '64. 


NOTE.— Mr.  L.  S.  Pierce,  a  respectable  citizen  of  Eaton,  N.  Y.,  for  a  short  time 
connected  with  the  Regiment,  as  assistant  to  Sutler  Farce,  died  November  27th, 
1862.  of  pneumonia,  at  Fortress  Monroe,  Va,  His  remains  were  buried  in  Mor- 
risville,  N.  Y. 


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